1 These are more wise sayings of Solomon. They were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah.
2 God is honored for what he keeps secret.Kings are honored for what they can discover.
3 No one can measure the height of the skies or the depth of the earth.So also no one can understand the mind of a king.
4 Remove the scum from the silver.Then the silver can be used by the silversmith.
5 Remove wicked people from the king’s presence.Then his government will be honest and last a long time.
6 Don’t brag to the king.Don’t act as if you are a great man.
7 It is better for him to promote you to a higher jobthan to give you a less important position.Because of something you have seen,
8 do not quickly take someone to court.What will you do laterwhen your neighbor proves you are wrong?
9 If you have an argument with your neighbor,don’t tell other people what was said.
10 Whoever hears it might say bad things about you.And you might not ever be respected again.
11 The right word spoken at the right timeis as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl.
12 The warning of a wise person is valuable to someone who will listen.It is worth as much as gold earrings or fine gold jewelry.
13 A trustworthy messenger refreshes those who send him.He is like the coolness of snow in the summertime.
14 People who brag about gifts they never giveare like clouds and wind that give no rain.
15 With patience you can convince a ruler.And a gentle word can get through to the hard-headed.
16 If you find honey, don’t eat too much.Too much of it will make you sick.
17 Don’t go to your neighbor’s house too often.Too much of you will make him hate you.
18 Anyone who lies about his neighborhurts him as a club, a sword or a sharp arrow would.
19 Don’t trust unfaithful people when you are in trouble.It’s like eating with a broken tooth or walking with a crippled foot.
20 Don’t sing songs to someone who is sad.It’s like taking off a coat on a cold dayor pouring vinegar on soda.
21 If your enemy is hungry, feed him.If he is thirsty, give him a drink.
22 Doing this will be like pouring burning coals on his head.And the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind brings rain.In the same way, telling gossip brings angry looks.
24 It is better to live in a corner on the roofthan inside the house with a quarreling wife.
25 Hearing good news from a faraway placeis like having a cool drink when you are tired.
26 A good person who gives in to evilis like a muddy spring or a dirty well.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey.In the same way, it is not good to brag about yourself.
28 A person who does not control himselfis like a city whose walls have been broken down.