25 These also are the proverbs of Solʹo·mon, which the men of Hez·e·kyʹah the king of Judah transcribed:
2 It is the glory of Al {pre. Ahl} to keep a matter secret,
And the glory of kings is to search through a matter.
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Remove the dross from the silver,
And it will emerge completely refined.
5 Remove the wicked one from the king’s presence,
And his throne will be firmly established in righteousness.
6 Do not honor yourself before the king,
And do not take a place among the prominent,
7 For it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”
Than to humiliate you in the presence of a noble.
8 Do not rush into a legal dispute,
For what will you do later if your neighbor humiliates you?
9 Plead your case with your neighbor,
But do not reveal what you were told confidentially,
10 So that the one listening will not put you to shame
And you spread a bad report that cannot be recalled.
11 Like apples of gold in silver carvings
Is a word spoken at the right time.
12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
Is a wise reprover to the receptive ear.
13 Just like the coldness of snow on the day of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who sent him,
14 Like clouds and wind that bring no rain
Is a man who boasts about a gift never given.
15 By patience a commander is won over,
And a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16 If you find honey, eat only what you need,
For if you take too much, you may vomit it up.
17 Rarely set foot in your neighbor’s house,
So that he does not get tired of you and hate you.
18 Like a war club and a sword and a sharp arrow
Is a man bearing false witness against his neighbor.
19 Like a broken tooth or an unsteady foot
Is confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble.
20 Like one who removes a garment on a cold day
And like vinegar poured on soda
Is the one who sings songs to a gloomy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
If he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22 For you will be heaping burning coals on his head,
And Ahv'ah {Heb. Yahvah} will reward you.
23 The north wind brings a downpour,
And a gossiping tongue brings an angry face.
24 Better to dwell on a corner of the roof
Than in the same house with a quarrelsome wife.
25 Like cold water on a tired soul
Is a good report from a distant land.
26 Like a muddied spring and a ruined well
Is a righteous person who gives in to a wicked one.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey,
Nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.
28 As a city broken through, without a wall,
Is the man who cannot control his temper.