1<\/sup>These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of Ezechias king of Juda copied out.<\/span> <\/p>\n 2<\/sup>It is the glory of God to conceal the word, and the glory of kings to search out the speech.<\/span> <\/p>\n 3<\/sup>The heaven above, and the earth beneath, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.<\/span> <\/p>\n 4<\/sup>Take away the rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel:<\/span> <\/p>\n 5<\/sup>Take away wickedness from the face of the king, and his throne shall be established with justice.<\/span> <\/p>\n 6<\/sup>Appear not glorious before the king, and stand not in the place of great men.<\/span> <\/p>\n 7<\/sup>For it is better that it should be said to thee: Come up hither; than that thou shouldst be humbled before the prince.<\/span> <\/p>\n 8<\/sup>The things which thy eyes have seen, utter not hastily in a quarrel: lest after- ward thou mayst not be able to make amends, when thou hast dishonoured thy friend.<\/span> <\/p>\n 9<\/sup>Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the secret to a stranger:<\/span> <\/p>\n 10<\/sup>Lest he insult over thee, when he hath heard it, and cease not to upbraid thee. Grace and friendship deliver a man: keep these for thyself, lest thou fall under reproach.<\/span> <\/p>\n 11<\/sup>To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.<\/span> <\/p>\n 12<\/sup>As an earring of gold and a bright pearl, so is he that reproveth the wise, and the obedient ear.<\/span> <\/p>\n 13<\/sup>As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sent him, for he refresheth his soul.<\/span> <\/p>\n 14<\/sup>As clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is the man that boasteth, and doth not fulfil his promises.<\/span> <\/p>\n 15<\/sup>By patience a prince shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.<\/span> <\/p>\n 16<\/sup>Thou hast found honey, eat what is sufficient for thee, lest being glutted therewith thou vomit it up.<\/span> <\/p>\n 17<\/sup>Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, lest having his fill he hate thee.<\/span> <\/p>\n 18<\/sup>A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.<\/span> <\/p>\n 19<\/sup>To trust to an unfaithful man in the time of trouble, is like a rotten tooth, and weary foot,<\/span> <\/p>\n 20<\/sup>And one that looseth his garment in cold weather. As vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a very evil heart. As a moth doth by a garment, and a worm by the wood: so the sadness of a man consumeth the heart.<\/span> <\/p>\n 21<\/sup>If thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat: if he thirst, give him water to drink:<\/span> <\/p>\n 22<\/sup>For thou shalt heap hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will reward thee.<\/span> <\/p>\n 23<\/sup>The north wind driveth away rain, as doth a sad countenance a backbiting tongue.<\/span> <\/p>\n 24<\/sup>It is better to sit m a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman, and in a common house.<\/span> <\/p>\n 25<\/sup>As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good tidings from a far country.<\/span> <\/p>\n 26<\/sup>A just man falling down before the wicked, is as a fountain troubled with the foot, and a corrupted spring.<\/span> <\/p>\n 27<\/sup>As it is not good for a man to eat much honey, so he that is a searcher of majesty, shall be overwhelmed by glory.<\/span> <\/p>\n 28<\/sup>As a city that lieth open and is not compassed with walls, so is a man that cannot refrain his own spirit in speaking.<\/span> <\/p>\n