25 These also are wise sayings of Solomon, which were written down by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah.
2 It is the greatness of God to keep things hidden, but it is the greatness of kings to find things out. 3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the heart of kings is more than can be known. 4 Take away the waste from the silver, and a silver pot comes out for the workman. 5 Take the sinful away from the king, and his throne will stand on what is right and good. 6 Do not honor yourself in front of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men. 7 For it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put down in front of the ruler whom your eyes have seen.
8 Do not go out in a hurry to argue. Or what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? 9 Argue your side of the problem with your neighbor, but do not tell the secret of another. 10 Or he who hears you may put you to shame, and bad things will be said about you forever.
11 A word spoken at the right time is like fruit of gold set in silver.
12 A wise man speaking strong words to a listening ear is like a piece of gold for the ear and a beautiful object of fine gold.
13 A faithful man who carries news is like the cold of snow at gathering time to those who send him, for he makes the spirit of his owners feel new again.
14 A man who talks much of a gift he never gives is like clouds and wind without rain. 15 When one is slow to anger, a ruler may be won over. A gentle tongue will break a bone.
16 Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, or you may become filled with it and spit it up.
17 Do not let your foot be in your neighbor’s house too much, or he may become tired of you and hate you.
18 A man who tells a lie against his neighbor is like a heavy stick or a sword or a sharp arrow.
19 In time of trouble, trusting in a man who is not faithful is like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint.
20 He who sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a coat on a cold day, or like sour wine poured on soda.
21 If the one who hates you is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him water. 22 If you do that, you will be making him more ashamed of himself, and the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind brings rain, and a tongue that hurts people brings angry looks.
24 It is better to live in a corner of the roof than in a house shared with an arguing woman.
25 Good news from a land far away is like cold water to a tired soul.
26 A man who does what is right but gives way in front of the sinful, is like a well of mud or poisoned water.
27 It is not good to eat much honey, and looking for honor is not good.
28 A man who cannot rule his own spirit is like a city whose walls are broken down.