## Analogies of Wisdom ###### 1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed. ###### 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings 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 dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith; ###### 5 Take away the wicked before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness. ###### 6 Do not promote your majesty in the presence of the king, And in the place of great men do not stand; ###### 7 For it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of a noble, Whom your eyes have seen. ###### 8 Do not go out hastily to plead _your case_; Lest, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you? ###### 9 Plead your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another, ###### 10 Lest he who hears _it_ bring disgrace upon you, And the bad report about you will not turn away. ###### 11 _Like_ apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances. ###### 12 _Like_ an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to a listening ear. ###### 13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest Is a faithful envoy to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters. ###### 14 _Like_ clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely. ###### 15 When one is slow to anger, a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone. ###### 16 Have you found honey? Eat _only_ enough for you, Lest you have more than your fill and vomit it. ###### 17 Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor's house, Lest he have more than his fill of you and hate you. ###### 18 _Like_ a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. ###### 19 _Like_ an aching tooth and a slipping foot Is trust in a treacherous man in a day of distress. ###### 20 _Like_ one who takes off a garment on a cold day, _or like_ vinegar on soda, Is he who sings songs to an aching heart. ###### 21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; ###### 22 For you will heap burning coals on his head, And Yahweh will repay you. ###### 23 The north wind brings forth rain, And a tongue of secrets, an indignant face. ###### 24 It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. ###### 25 _Like_ cold water to a weary soul, So is a good report from a distant land. ###### 26 _Like_ a muddied spring and a corrupted well Is a righteous man shaking before the wicked. ###### 27 To eat too much honey is not good, Nor is it glory to search out one's own glory. ###### 28 _Like_ a city that is broken into _and_ without a wall Is a man without restraint over his spirit.