1 haec quoque parabolae salomonis quas transtulerunt viri ezechiae regis Iuda
2 Gloria Dei celare verbum
et gloria regum investigare sermonem
3 caelum sursum et terra deorsum
et cor regum inscrutabile
4 aufer robiginem de argento et egredietur vas purissimum
5 aufer impietatem de vultu regis et firmabitur iustitia thronus eius
6 ne gloriosus appareas coram rege
et in loco magnorum ne steteris
7 melius est enim ut dicatur tibi ascende huc
quam ut humilieris coram principe
8 quae viderunt oculi tui ne proferas in iurgio cito
ne postea emendare non possis cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum
9 causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo
et secretum extraneo non reveles
10 ne forte insultet tibi cum audierit et exprobrare non cesset
11 mala aurea in lectis argenteis qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo
12 inauris aurea et margaritum fulgens
qui arguit sapientem et aurem oboedientem
13 sicut frigus nivis in die messis ita legatus fidelis ei qui misit eum
animam illius requiescere facit
14 nubes et ventus et pluviae non sequentes
vir gloriosus et promissa non conplens
15 patientia lenietur princeps
et lingua mollis confringet duritiam
16 mel invenisti comede quod sufficit tibi
ne forte saturatus evomas illud
17 subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui
nequando satiatus oderit te
18 iaculum et gladius et sagitta acuta
homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum testimonium falsum
19 dens putridus et pes lapsus
qui sperat super infideli in die angustiae
20 et amittit pallium in die frigoris
acetum in nitro et qui cantat carmina cordi
pessimo
21 si esurierit inimicus tuus ciba illum
et si sitierit da ei aquam bibere
22 prunam enim congregabis super caput eius
et Dominus reddet tibi
23 ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias
et facies tristis linguam detrahentem
24 melius est sedere in angulo domatis
quam cum muliere litigiosa et in domo communi
25 aqua frigida animae sitienti et nuntius bonus de terra longinqua
26 fons turbatus pede et vena corrupta iustus cadens coram impio
27 sicut qui mel multum comedit non est ei bonum
sic qui scrutator est maiestatis opprimitur
gloria
28 sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu
ita vir qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum
1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. 3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. 5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: 7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. 9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: 10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. 12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. 13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters. 14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. 15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. 16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. 17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. 18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. 19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. 20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. 23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. 24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. 25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. 26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. 27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory. 28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.