1: These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of
Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. |
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2: It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of
kings is to search out a matter. |
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3:
The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart
of kings is unsearchable. |
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4: Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come
forth a vessel for the finer. |
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5: Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne
shall be established in righteousness. |
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6: Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand
not in the place of great men: |
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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. |
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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. |
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9: Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not
a secret to another: |
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10: Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy
turn not away. |
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11: A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of
silver. |
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12: As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a
wise reprover upon an obedient ear. |
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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. |
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14: Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and
wind without rain. |
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15: By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue
breaketh the bone. |
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16: Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee,
lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. |
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17: Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be
weary of thee, and so hate thee. |
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18: A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a
maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. |
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19: Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a
broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. |
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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. |
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21: If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be
thirsty, give him water to drink: |
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22: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD
shall reward thee. |
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23: The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry
countenance a backbiting tongue. |
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24: It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,
than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. |
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25: As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far
country. |
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26: A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a
troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. |
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27: It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their
own glory is not glory. |
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28: He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that
is broken down, and without walls. |