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More Proverbs of Solomon

¹ These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:

² It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.³ As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.

⁴ Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.⁵ Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

⁶ Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;⁷ for it is better that he says to you, “Come up here!” than demote you in the presence of the prince. Even what^(a) you have seen with your own eyes,

⁸ do not go out to argue in haste^(a). Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your opponent puts you to shame?⁹ Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,¹⁰ lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.

¹¹ A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.¹² Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.

¹³ Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.

¹⁴ Like clouds and wind without rain is the man 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 what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.

¹⁷ Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.

¹⁸ Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.

¹⁹ Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.

²⁰ Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on soda is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

²¹ If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.²² For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

²³ As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.

²⁴ Better to live on a corner of the roof than to 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 is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.

²⁷ It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.

²⁸ Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.