¹ These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:

² It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
³ As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

⁴ Remove the dross from the silver,
and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established through righteousness.

⁶ Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,
and do not claim a place among his great men;
⁷ it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”
than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.

What you have seen with your eyes
⁸ do not bring hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
if your neighbor puts you to shame?

⁹ If you take your neighbor to court,
do not betray another’s confidence,
¹⁰ or the one who hears it may shame you
and the charge against you will stand.

¹¹ Like apples of gold in settings of silver
is a ruling rightly given.
¹² Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.

¹³ Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
he refreshes the spirit of his master.
¹⁴ Like clouds and wind without rain
is one who boasts of gifts never given.

¹⁵ Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,
and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

¹⁶ If you find honey, eat just enough—
too much of it, and you will vomit.
¹⁷ Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—
too much of you, and they will hate you.

¹⁸ Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
¹⁹ Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
²⁰ Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
or like vinegar poured on a wound,
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

²¹ If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
²² In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.

²³ Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.

²⁴ Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

²⁵ Like cold water to a weary soul
is good news from a distant land.
²⁶ Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
are the righteous who give way to the wicked.

²⁷ It is not good to eat too much honey,
nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.
²⁸ Like a city whose walls are broken through
is a person who lacks self-control.