hese 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 glory of kings is to search out a matter.
. .3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so is the heart of kings unsearchable.
. .4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the refiner.
. .5 Take away the wicked 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 men:
. .7 For 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.
. .8 What thine eyes have seen, bring not forth hastily into court, lest 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 himself; and disclose not the secret of another:
. .10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
. .11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold set in settings of silver.
. .12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover unto an obedient ear.
. .13 As 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.
. .14 Whoso boasteth himself of a gift falsely 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 Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
. .18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a like maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
. .19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth, and a foot out of joint.
. .20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon lye, so 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 As the north wind bringeth forth rain: so doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
. .24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than in a house shared with a brawling woman.
. .25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
. .26 A righteous man that giveth place 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 out their own glory is not glory.
. .28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.