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

1 ¶ These also are 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.

2 ¶ It is the glory of God to conceal a thing:
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

3 ¶ The heaven for height, and the earth for depth,
And the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

4 ¶ Take away the dross from the silver,
And there cometh forth a vessel for the finer:

5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

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:

6 ¶ Put not thyself forward 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 whom thine eyes have seen.

7 ¶ For better is it 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 thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

8 ¶ Go not forth hastily to strive,
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 discover not a secret to another:

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.

10 ¶ Lest he that heareth it revile thee,
And thine infamy turn not away.

11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

11 ¶ A word fitly spoken
Is like apples of gold in baskets of silver.

12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

12 ¶ As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,
So is a wise reprover upon 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.

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 false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

14 ¶ As clouds and wind without rain,
So is he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely.

15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

15 ¶ By long forbearing is a ruler 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.

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 so hate thee.

17 ¶ Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour’s house;
Lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.

18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

18 ¶ A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour
Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

19 ¶ Confidence 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.

20 ¶ As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre,
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:

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.

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 doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

23 ¶ 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 with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

24 ¶ It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,
Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.

25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

25 ¶ As cold waters to a thirsty soul,
So is good news from a far country.

26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

26 ¶ As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring,
So is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.

27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

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.

28 ¶ He whose spirit is without restraint
Is like a city that is broken down and hath no wall.