Bible Reading Plan

² It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
     to search out a matter is the glory of kings.^(c)
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
     so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

⁴ Remove the dross from the silver,
     and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
⁵ remove wicked officials from the king's presence,^(d)
     and his throne will be established^(e) through righteousness.^(f)

⁶ Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence,
     and do not claim a place among his great men;
⁷ it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here,"^(g)
     than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.

What you have seen with your eyes
⁸       do not bring^[a] hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
     if your neighbor puts you to shame?^(h)

⁹ If you take your neighbor to court,
     do not betray another's confidence,
¹⁰ or the one who hears it may shame you
     and the charge against you will stand.

¹¹ Like apples^[b] of gold in settings of silver⁽ⁱ⁾
     is a ruling rightly given.
¹² Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
     is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.^(j)

¹³ Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
     is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
     he refreshes the spirit of his master.^(k)
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
     is one who boasts of gifts never given.

¹⁵ Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,^(l)
     and a gentle tongue can break a bone.^(m)

¹⁶ If you find honey, eat just enough—
     too much of it, and you will vomit.^(n)
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house—
     too much of you, and they will hate you.

¹⁸ Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
     is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.^(o)
19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
     is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
²⁰ Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
     or like vinegar poured on a wound,
     is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

²¹ If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
     if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
²² In doing this, you will heap burning coals^(p) on his head,
     and the Lord will reward you.^(q)

²³ Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
     is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.

²⁴ Better to live on a corner of the roof
     than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.^(r)

²⁵ Like cold water to a weary soul
     is good news from a distant land.^(s)
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
     are the righteous who give way to the wicked.

²⁷ It is not good to eat too much honey,^(t)
     nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.^(u)

²⁸ Like a city whose walls are broken through
     is a person who lacks self-control.