Third Collection of Proverbs

25 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, copied out.

2 The glory of God is his mystery,

but the glory of kings is investigation.

3 Like the height of the heavens and the depth of the earth,

so the purpose of kings is unsearchable.

4 Remove the dross from silver,

and forth it comes pure altogether.

5 Remove wicked men from the king.

and his throne is established by righteousness.

6 In the presence of a king claim not honour,

nor stand in the place of the great.

7 Better be told, ‘Come up hither,’

than be humbled before the prince.

8 Do not hastily bring up a law-suit

of something your eyes have seen.

For what will you do in the end,

when your neighbour has put you to shame?

9 Discuss the affair with your neighbour,

reveal not his secret to others;

10 lest those that have heard it reproach you

and your infamy pass not away.

11 Like apples of gold in carvings of silver

is a word that is fittingly spoken.

12 Like an earring of gold and a necklace of fine gold

is a wise man’s reproof to a listening ear.

13 Like a drink cooled by snow in the time of harvest

is a faithful envoy to those that send him:

he refreshes the soul of his master.

14 As clouds and wind that yet bring no rain,

so is one that boasts of gifts that he gives not.

15 An angry man can be won by forbearance,

and bones can be broken by gentle words.

16 If you find honey, eat just what you need.

lest, after a surfeit, you vomit it up.

17 In the house of your friend let your foot be but seldom,

lest, sated with you, he detest you.

18 One who bears false witness against his neighbour

is a hammer, a sword, and a sharp-pointed arrow.

19 In a crumbling tooth and a foot unsteady

is the faithless man’s trust in the day of distress.

20 As vinegar to a wound

is a song to a sorrowful heart.

21 Give your enemy food, if he hunger;

and water, if he be thirsty:

22 for so will you heap coals of fire on his head,

and the Lord will give you recompense.

23 As the north wind brings forth rain,

so slander an angry countenance.

24 It is better to live on the roof in a corner

than in a spacious house with a quarrelsome woman.

25 Like cool water to one that is weary

is good news from a distant land.

26 Like a fountain befouled or a ruined spring

is a just man who falls before the wicked.

27 It is not good to eat much honey;

be sparing then of your compliments.

28 Like a city whose walls are broken down

is a man without self-control.