Thomson(i)
1 These are the detached instructions of Solomon which the friends of Hezekias king of Judea copied out.
2 The glory of God obscureth a matter: but the glory of a king giveth a lustre to actions.
3 Heaven is high and the earth is deep: and the heart of a king is unsearchable.
4 Beat drossy silver and all that is pure will be purified.
5 Slay the wicked from the presence of a king and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Boast not in the presence of a king; nor range thyself in the places of princes:
7 For it is better it should be said to thee; "Come up hither;" than that thou shouldst give place at the presence of a prince. Tell what thine eyes have seen.
8 Enter not hastily into a quarrel: lest thou repent at the last when thy friend shall upbraid thee.
9 In yielding shew no contempt,
10 lest thy friend upbraid thee: in which case thy quarrel and enmity will not cease, but last till death. Favour and friendship give freedom. Keep these for thyself that thou mayst not be exposed to reproach. But keep thy ways with a placable temper.
11 It is an apple of gold in a sardine bracelet, thus to speak a word.
12 A precious sardius is bound to an ear-ring of gold; and a word of wisdom to an obedient ear.
13 As the coming out of snow in harvest is grateful according to the degree of heat: so is a faithful messenger to them who send him: for he refresheth the souls of them who employ him.
14 As winds and clouds and rain are conspicuous things; so is he who boasteth for a false gift.
15 By patience kings have a prosperous journey: and a soft tongue breaketh bones.
16 Having found honey eat just what is sufficient: lest being glutted thou vomit it up.
17 Go seldom to the house of thy friend: lest he be cloyed with thee and hate thee.
18 Sharp is a nail and a sword and an arrow: so is a man who beareth false witness against his friend.
19 The way of a bad man and the foot of a transgressor shall be destroyed in an evil day.
20 As vinegar is hurtful to a boil; so bodily disease giveth pain to the heart. As a moth in a garment and a Worm in wood: so a man's grief hurteth the heart.
21 If thine enemy hunger feed him; if he be thirsty give him drink:
22 for by doing this thou wilt use the means to melt him; and the Lord will reward thee with good.
23 The north wind raiseth clouds: and an impudent countenance irritateth the tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the house top, than with a scolding wife in a wide house.
25 As cold water is grateful to a thirsty soul; so is good news from a distant country.
26 As if one should stop up a fountain and destroy an outlet of water: so is it disorderly for a righteous man to fall before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey: but we ought to honour glorious words.
28 A man who doth any thing without counsel; is like a city which hath the foundations of walls laid and is without walls.