1. These {cf15I are} also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2. {cf15I It is} the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings {cf15I is} to search out a matter.
3. The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings {cf15I is} unsearchable.
4. Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5. Take away the wicked {cf15I from} before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6. Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great {cf15I men}:
7. For better {cf15I 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.
8. Go not forth hastily to strive, lest {cf15I thou know not} what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9. Debate thy cause with thy neighbour {cf15I himself}; and discover not a secret to another:
10. Lest he that heareth {cf15I it} put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11. A word fitly spoken {cf15I is like} apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12. {cf15I As} an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, {cf15I so is} a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13. As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, {cf15I so is} a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14. Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift {cf15I is like} clouds and wind without rain.
15. By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16. Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17. Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and {cf15I so} hate thee.
18. A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour {cf15I is} a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19. Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble {cf15I is like} a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20. {cf15I As} he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, {cf15I and as} vinegar upon nitre, so {cf15I is} he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21. If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22. For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23. The north wind driveth away rain: so {cf15I doth} an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24. {cf15I It is} better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25. {cf15I As} cold waters to a thirsty soul, so {cf15I is} good news from a far country.
26. A righteous man falling down before the wicked {cf15I is as} a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27. {cf15I It is} not good to eat much honey: so {cf15I for men} to search their own glory {cf15I is not} glory.
28. He that {cf15I hath} no rule over his own spirit {cf15I is like} a city {cf15I that is} broken down, {cf15I and} without walls.