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[1]These are the miscellaneous instructions of Solomon, which the friends of Ezekias king of Judea copied out.
[2]The glory of God conceals a matter: but the glory of a king honours business.
[3]Heaven is high, and earth is deep, and a king's heart is unsearchable.
[4]Beat the drossy silver, and it shall be made entirely pure.
[5]Slay the ungodly from before the king, and his throne shall prosper in righteousness.
[6]Be not boastful in the presence of the king, and remain not in the places of princes;
[7]for it is better for thee that it should be said, Come up to me, than that one should humble thee in the presence of the prince; speak of that which thine eyes have seen.
[8]Get not suddenly into a quarrel, lest thou repent at last.
[9]Whenever thy friend shall reproach thee, retreat backward, despise him not;
[10]lest thy friend continue to reproach thee, so thy quarrel and enmity shall not depart, but shall be to thee like death. Favour and friendship set a man free, which do thou keep for thyself, lest thou be made liable to reproach; but take heed to thy ways peaceably.
[11]As a golden apple in a necklace of sardius, so is it to speak a wise word.
[12]In an ear-ring of gold a precious sardius is also set; so is a wise word to an obedient ear.
[13]As a fall of snow in the time of harvest is good against heat, so a faithful messenger refreshes those that send him; for he helps the souls of his employers.
[14]As winds and clouds and rains are most evident objects, so is he that boasts of a false gift.
[15]In long-suffering is prosperity to kings, and a soft tongue breaks the bones.
[16]Having found honey, eat only what is enough, lest haply thou be filled, and vomit it up.
[17]Enter sparingly into thy friend's house, lest he be satiated with thy company, and hate thee.
[18]As a club, and a dagger, and a pointed arrow, so also is a man who bears false witness against his friend.
[19]The way of the wicked and the foot of the transgressor shall perish in an evil day.
[20]As vinegar is bad for a sore, so trouble befalling the body afflicts the heart. As a moth in a garment, and a worm in wood, so the grief of a man hurts the heart.
[21]If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink;
[22]for so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee with good.
[23]The north wind raises clouds; so an impudent face provokes the tongue.
[24]It is better to dwell on a corner of the roof, than with a railing woman in an open house.
[25]As cold water is agreeable to a thirsting soul, so is a good message from a land far off.
[26]As if one should stop a well, and corrupt a spring of water, so is it unseemly for a righteous man to fall before an ungodly man.
[27]It is not good to eat much honey; but it is right to honour venerable sayings.
[28]As a city whose walls are broken down, and which is unfortified, so is a man who does anything without counsel.
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