Online Bible

2 It is the glory of God to ^aconceal a matter,But the glory of ^bkings is to search out a matter.3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,So the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the ¹^aimpurities from the silver,And there comes out a vessel for the ^bsmith;5 Take away the ^awicked before the king,And his ^bthrone will be established in righteousness.6 Do not boast in the presence of the king,And do not stand in the same place ¹as great people;7 For ^ait is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince,Whom your eyes have seen.

8 Do not go out ^ahastily to ¹argue your case;²Otherwise, what will you do in ³the end,When your neighbor humiliates you?9 ¹^aArgue your case with your neighbor,And ^bdo not reveal the secret of another,10 Or one who hears it will put you to shame,And the evil report about you will not ¹pass away.

11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver,Is a ^aword spoken at ¹the proper time.12 Like ¹an ^aearring of gold and a ^bjewelry piece of ^cfine gold,Is a wise person who offers rebukes to a ^dlistening ear.13 Like the cold of snow in the ¹time of harvestIs a ^afaithful messenger to those who send him,For he refreshes the soul of his masters.14 Like ^aclouds and ^bwind without rainIs a person who boasts ¹of his gifts falsely.15 Through ¹^apatience a ruler may be persuaded,And a gentle tongue breaks bone.16 Have you ^afound honey? Eat only ¹what you need,So that you do not have it in excess and vomit it.17 Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor’s house,Or he will become ¹weary of you and hate you.18 Like a club, a ^asword, and a sharp ^barrowIs a person who gives ^cfalse testimony against his neighbor.19 Like a bad tooth and ¹an unsteady footIs confidence in a ^atreacherous person in time of trouble.20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on ¹soda,Is one who sings songs to ²a troubled heart.21 ^aIf ¹your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;22 For you will ¹heap burning coals on his head,And ^athe LORD will reward you.23 The north wind brings rain,And a ¹^agossiping tongue brings an angry face.24 It is ^abetter to live on a corner of the roof,Than ¹in a house shared with a contentious woman.25 Like cold water to a weary soul,So is ^agood news from a distant land.26 Like a ^atrampled spring and a ¹polluted well,So is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.27 It is not good to eat much honey,Nor is it glory to ^asearch out ¹one’s own glory.28 Like a ^acity that is broken into and without wallsSo is a person ^bwho has no self-control over his spirit.