1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. (箴1:1)2It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. (申29:29; 伯29:16; 羅11:33)3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable. (诗145:3)4Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; (结22:18; 玛3:2; 提后2:20)5take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. (箴16:12; 箴20:8)6Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great,7for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen (路14:8)8do not hastily bring into court,[1] for[2] what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? (箴17:14; 太5:25; 路12:58)9Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret, (太18:15)10lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. (箴15:23; 赛50:4)12Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. (创24:22; 箴15:31; 箴20:12)13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters. (箴13:17)14Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. (箴20:6; 犹1:12)15With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone. (箴15:1; 箴16:14; 传10:4)16If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it. (士14:8; 撒上14:25; 箴25:27)17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow. (诗57:4; 箴12:18; 箴24:28)19Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda. (羅12:15)21If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, (出23:4; 王下6:22; 代下28:15; 羅12:20)22for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. (诗140:10)23The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. (箴21:9)25Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. (诗42:2; 箴15:30)26Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. (结32:2; 结34:18)27It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.[3] (箴25:16; 箴27:2)28A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. (代下32:5; 代下36:19; 尼1:3; 箴16:32)