[1] These are more wise sayings of Solomon, copied out by the men of
Hezekiah, king of Judah. [2] It is the glory of God to keep a thing secret:
but the glory of kings is to have it searched out. [3] The heaven is high
and the earth is deep, and the hearts of kings may not be searched out. [4]
Take away the waste from silver, and a vessel will come out for the
silver-worker. [5] Take away evil-doers from before the king, and the seat
of his power will be made strong in righteousness. [6] Do not take glory
for yourself before the king, and do not put yourself in the place of the
great: [7] For it is better to have it said to you, Come up here; than for
you to be put down in a lower place before the ruler. [8] Do not be quick
to go to law about what you have seen, for what will you do in the end,
when your neighbour has put you to shame? [9] Have a talk with your
neighbour himself about your cause, but do not give away the secret of
another: [10] Or your hearer may say evil of you, and your shame will not
be turned away. [11] A word at the right time is like apples of gold in a
network of silver. [12] Like a nose-ring of gold and an ornament of the
best gold, is a wise man who says sharp words to an ear ready to give
attention. [13] As the cold of snow in the time of grain-cutting, so is a
true servant to those who send him; for he gives new life to the soul of
his master. [14] As clouds and wind without rain, so is one who takes
credit for an offering he has not given. [15] A judge is moved by one who
for a long time undergoes wrongs without protest, and by a soft tongue even
bone is broken. [16] If you have honey, take only as much as is enough for
you; for fear that, being full of it, you may not be able to keep it down.
[17] Let not your foot be frequently in your neighbour's house, or he may
get tired of you, and his feeling be turned to hate. [18] One who gives
false witness against his neighbour is a hammer and a sword and a sharp
arrow. [19] Putting one's faith in a false man in time of trouble is like a
broken tooth and a shaking foot. [20] Like one who takes off clothing in
cold weather and like acid on a wound, is he who makes melody to a sad
heart. [21] If your hater is in need of food, give him bread; and if he is
in need of drink, give him water: [22] For so you will put coals of fire on
his head, and the Lord will give you your reward. [23] As the north wind
gives birth to rain, so is an angry face caused by a tongue saying evil
secretly. [24] It is better to be living in an angle of the house-top, than
with a bitter-tongued woman in a wide house. [25] As cold water to a tired
soul, so is good news from a far country. [26] Like a troubled fountain and
a dirty spring, is an upright man who has to give way before evil-doers.
[27] It is not good to take much honey: so he who is not looking for honour
will be honoured. [28] He whose spirit is uncontrolled is like an unwalled
town which has been broken into.
