² It is the glory of God to conceal things,
    but the glory of kings is to search things out.^(B)
3 Like the heavens for height, like the earth for depth,
    so the mind of kings is unsearchable.
⁴ Take away the dross from the silver,
    and the smith has material for a vessel;^(C)
5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king,
    and his throne will be established in righteousness.^(D)
6 Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence
    or stand in the place of the great,
⁷ for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
    than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

What your eyes have seen^(E)
8     do not hastily bring into court,
for^[a] what will you do in the end,
    when your neighbor puts you to shame?^(F)
9 Argue your case with your neighbor directly,
    and do not disclose another’s secret,^(G)
10 or else someone who hears you will bring shame upon you,
    and your ill repute will have no end.

¹¹ A word fitly spoken
    is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.^(H)
12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
    is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.^(I)
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
    are faithful messengers to those who send them;
    they refresh the spirit of their masters.^(J)
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
    is one who boasts of a gift never given.^(K)
15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
    and a soft tongue can break bones.^(L)
16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,
    lest, having too much, you vomit it up.^(M)
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
    lest the neighbor become weary of you and hate you.
¹⁸ Like a war club, a sword, or a sharp arrow
    is one who bears false witness against a neighbor.^(N)
19 Like a bad tooth or a lame foot
    is trust in a faithless person in time of trouble.
²⁰ Like vinegar on a wound^[b]
    is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Like a moth in clothing or a worm in wood,
    sorrow gnaws at the human heart.^[c]
21 If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat,
    and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink,^(O)
22 for you will heap coals of fire on their heads,
    and the Lord will reward you.^(P)
23 The north wind produces rain,
    and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.^(Q)
24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
    than in a house shared with a contentious wife.^(R)
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
    so is good news from a far country.^(S)
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
    are the righteous who give way before the wicked.^(T)
27 It is not good to eat much honey
    or to seek honor on top of honor.^(U)
28 Like a city breached, without walls,
    is one who lacks self-control.^(V)