✧These [are] also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. ✧2[It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter. ✧3The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings [is] unsearchable. ✧4Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. ✧5Take away the wicked [from] before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. ✧6Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great [men:] ✧7For better [it is] that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen. ✧8Go not forth hastily to strive, lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. ✧9Debate thy cause with thy neighbour [himself;] and discover not a secret to another: ✧10Lest he that heareth [it] put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away. ✧11A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver. ✧12[As] an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [so is] a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. ✧13As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, [so is] a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters. ✧14Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift [is like] clouds and wind without rain. ✧15By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. ✧16Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. ✧17Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and [so] hate thee. ✧18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour [is] a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. ✧19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble [is like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. ✧20[As] he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon nitre, so [is] he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. ✧21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: ✧22For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. ✧23The north wind driveth away rain: so [doth] an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. ✧24[It is] better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. ✧25[As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so [is] good news from a far country. ✧26A righteous man falling down before the wicked [is as] a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. ✧27[It is] not good to eat much honey: so [for men] to search their own glory [is not] glory. ✧28He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls.