Daily Bible Reading

More Proverbs of Solomon

1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

2It is the glory of God to conceal things,

but the glory of kings is to search things out.

3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,

so the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4Take away the dross from the silver,

and the smith has material for a vessel;

5take away the wicked from the presence of the king,

and his throne will be established in righteousness.

6Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence

or stand in the place of the great,

7for 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

8do not hastily bring into court,

for what will you do in the end,

when your neighbor puts you to shame?

9Argue your case with your neighbor himself,

and do not reveal another’s secret,

10lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,

and your ill repute have no end.

11A word fitly spoken

is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

12Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold

is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest

is a faithful messenger to those who send him;

he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14Like clouds and wind without rain

is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.

15With patience a ruler may be persuaded,

and a soft tongue will break a bone.

16If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,

lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.

17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,

lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor

is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

19Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble

is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.

20Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart

is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,

and like vinegar on soda.

21If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,

and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

22for you will heap burning coals on his head,

and the Lord will reward you.

23The north wind brings forth rain,

and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

24It is better to live in a corner of the housetop

than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

25Like cold water to a thirsty soul,

so is good news from a far country.

26Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain

is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

27It is not good to eat much honey,

nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.

28A man without self-control

is like a city broken into and left without walls.

More Proverbs of Solomon

1These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:

2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;

to search out a matter is the glory of kings.

3As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,

so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

4Remove the dross from the silver,

and a silversmith can produce a vessel;

5remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,

and his throne will be established through righteousness.

6Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,

and do not claim a place among his great men;

7it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”

than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.

What you have seen with your eyes

8do not bring hastily to court,

for what will you do in the end

if your neighbor puts you to shame?

9If you take your neighbor to court,

do not betray another’s confidence,

10or the one who hears it may shame you

and the charge against you will stand.

11Like apples of gold in settings of silver

is a ruling rightly given.

12Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold

is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.

13Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time

is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;

he refreshes the spirit of his master.

14Like clouds and wind without rain

is one who boasts of gifts never given.

15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,

and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

16If you find honey, eat just enough—

too much of it, and you will vomit.

17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—

too much of you, and they will hate you.

18Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow

is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.

19Like a broken tooth or a lame foot

is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.

20Like 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.

21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;

if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

22In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,

and the Lord will reward you.

23Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain

is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.

24Better to live on a corner of the roof

than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

25Like cold water to a weary soul

is good news from a distant land.

26Like a muddied spring or a polluted well

are the righteous who give way to the wicked.

27It is not good to eat too much honey,

nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.

28Like a city whose walls are broken through

is a person who lacks self-control.