2It is the glory of God to hide a thing, but the honour of kings is to search a matter out.
3The heavens are high, and the earth is deep, and the heart of kings cannot be searched out.
4Take away the waste from the silver, and a vessel will come out for the silversmith.
5Take the wicked away from before the king, and his throne will be made firm in righteousness.
6Do not push yourself forward in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men.
7It is better to be told, "Come up here," than to be put lower in front of the prince whom your eyes have seen.
8Do not rush out to go to court. What will you do in the end, when your neighbour has put you to shame?
9Argue your case with your neighbour himself, and do not tell another person's secret.
10If you do, the one who hears it will shame you, and your bad name will never leave you.
11A word spoken at the right time is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12Like an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise man who corrects a listening ear.
13Like the cold of snow at harvest time, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him. He refreshes the soul of his masters.
14Whoever boasts about a gift he does not give is like clouds and wind without rain.
15By being patient for a long time a ruler is won over, and a gentle tongue breaks a bone.
16Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, or you will be filled with it and vomit it up.
17Do not go too often into your neighbour's house, or he will grow tired of you and hate you.
18A man who gives false witness against his neighbour is a club, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19Trusting an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, or a foot out of joint.
20Like one who takes off a coat in cold weather, and like vinegar poured on soda, so is the one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22For you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23The north wind drives away rain, and an angry face drives away a tongue that speaks behind backs.
24It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a wide house with a quarrelling woman.
25Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26A righteous man who falls down before the wicked is like a muddied fountain, and a spoiled spring.
27It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to search out their own glory is not glory.
28The man who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.