The Hezekiah collection of Solomonic proverbs

25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah copied:
25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and it is the glory of a king to search out a matter.
25:3 As the heaven is high and the earth is deep so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
25:4 Remove the dross from the silver, and material for the silversmith will emerge;
25:5 remove the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
25:6 Do not honor yourself before the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
25:7 for it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than to put you lower before a prince, whom your eyes have seen.
25:8 Do not go out hastily to litigation, or what will you do afterward when your neighbor puts you to shame?
25:9 When you argue a case with your neighbor, do not reveal the secret of another person,
25:10 lest the one who hears it put you to shame and your infamy will never go away.
25:11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver, so is a word skillfully spoken.
25:12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to the ear of the one who listens.
25:13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the heart of his masters.
25:14 Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain, so is the one who boasts of a gift not given.
25:15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break a bone.
25:16 When you find honey, eat only what is sufficient for you, lest you become stuffed with it and vomit it up.
25:17 Don’t set foot too frequently in your neighbor’s house, lest he become weary of you and hate you.
25:18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow, so is the one who testifies against his neighbor as a false witness.
25:19 Like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint, so is confidence in an unfaithful person at the time of trouble.
25:20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
25:22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
25:23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a gossiping tongue brings forth an angry look.
25:24 It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife.
25:25 Like cold water to a weary person, so is good news from a distant land.
25:26 Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.
25:27 It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable for people to seek their own glory.
25:28 Like a city that is broken down and without a wall, so is a person who cannot control his temper.
26:1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
26:2 Like a fluttering bird or like a flying swallow, so a curse without cause does not come to rest.
26:3 A whip for the horse and a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you yourself also be like him.
26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own estimation.
26:6 Like cutting off the feet or drinking violence, so is sending a message by the hand of a fool.
26:7 Like legs that hang limp from the lame, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
26:8 Like tying a stone in a sling, so is giving honor to a fool.
26:9 Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
26:10 Like an archer who wounds at random, so is the one who hires a fool or hires any passer-by.
26:11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
26:13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A lion in the streets!”
26:14 Like a door that turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.
26:15 The sluggard plunges his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own estimation than seven people who respond with good sense.
26:17 Like one who grabs a wild dog by the ears, so is the person passing by who becomes furious over a quarrel not his own.
26:18 Like a madman who shoots firebrands and deadly arrows,
26:19 so is a person who deceives his neighbor, and says, “Was I not only joking?”
26:20 Where there is no wood, a fire goes out, and where there is no gossip, contention ceases.
26:21 Like charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious person to kindle strife.
26:22 The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels; they go down into a person’s innermost being.
26:23 Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
26:24 The one who hates others disguises it with his lips, but he stores up deceit within him.
26:25 When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations within him.
26:26 Though his hatred may be concealed by deceit, his evil will be uncovered in the assembly.
26:27 The one who digs a pit will fall into it; the one who rolls a stone – it will come back on him.
26:28 A lying tongue hates those crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow; for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
27:2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.
27:3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but vexation by a fool is more burdensome than the two of them.
27:4 Wrath is cruel and anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?
27:5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.
27:7 The one whose appetite is satisfied loathes honey, but to the hungry mouth every bitter thing is sweet.
27:8 Like a bird that wanders from its nest, so is a person who wanders from his home.
27:9 Ointment and incense make the heart rejoice, likewise the sweetness of one’s friend from sincere counsel.
27:10 Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend, and do not enter your brother’s house in the day of your disaster; a neighbor nearby is better than a brother far away.
27:11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, so that I may answer anyone who taunts me.
27:12 A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself, but the naive keep right on going and suffer for it.
27:13 Take a man’s garment when he has given security for a stranger, and when he gives surety for a stranger, hold him in pledge.
27:14 If someone blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted as a curse to him.
27:15 A continual dripping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike.
27:16 Whoever hides her hides the wind or grasps oil with his right hand.
27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a person sharpens his friend.
27:18 The one who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever takes care of his master will be honored.
27:19 As in water the face is reflected as a face, so a person’s heart reflects the person.
27:20 As Death and Destruction are never satisfied, so the eyes of a person are never satisfied.
27:21 As the crucible is for silver and the furnace is for gold, so a person is proved by the praise he receives.
27:22 If you should pound the fool in the mortar among the grain with the pestle, his foolishness would not depart from him.
27:23 Pay careful attention to the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds,
27:24 for riches do not last forever, nor does a crown last from generation to generation.
27:25 When the hay is removed and new grass appears, and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
27:26 the lambs will be for your clothing, and the goats will be for the price of a field.
27:27 And there will be enough goat’s milk for your food, for the food of your household, and for the sustenance of your servant girls.
28:1 The wicked person flees when there is no one pursuing, but the righteous person is as confident as a lion.
28:2 When a country is rebellious it has many princes, but by someone who is discerning and knowledgeable order is maintained.
28:3 A poor person who oppresses the weak is like a driving rain without food.
28:4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law contend with them.
28:5 Evil people do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it all.
28:6 A poor person who walks in his integrity is better than one who is perverse in his ways even though he is rich.
28:7 The one who keeps the law is a discerning child, but a companion of gluttons brings shame to his parents.
28:8 The one who increases his wealth by increasing interest gathers it for someone who is gracious to the needy.
28:9 The one who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
28:10 The one who leads the upright astray in an evil way will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.
28:11 A rich person is wise in his own eyes, but a discerning poor person can evaluate him properly.
28:12 When the righteous rejoice, great is the glory, but when the wicked rise to power, people are sought out.
28:13 The one who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will find mercy.
28:14 Blessed is the one who is always cautious, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into evil.
28:15 Like a roaring lion or a roving bear, so is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
28:16 The prince who is a great oppressor lacks wisdom, but the one who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
28:17 The one who is tormented by the murder of another will flee to the pit; let no one support him.
28:18 The one who walks blamelessly will be delivered, but whoever is perverse in his ways will fall at once.
28:19 The one who works his land will be satisfied with food, but whoever chases daydreams will have his fill of poverty.
28:20 A faithful person will have an abundance of blessings, but the one who hastens to gain riches will not go unpunished.
28:21 To show partiality is terrible, for a person will transgress over the smallest piece of bread.
28:22 The stingy person hastens after riches and does not know that poverty will overtake him.
28:23 The one who reproves another will in the end find more favor than the one who flatters with the tongue.
28:24 The one who robs his father and mother and says, “There is no transgression,” is a companion to the one who destroys.
28:25 The greedy person stirs up dissension, but the one who trusts in the Lord will prosper.
28:26 The one who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but the one who walks in wisdom will escape.
28:27 The one who gives to the poor will not lack, but whoever shuts his eyes to them will receive many curses.
28:28 When the wicked gain control, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.
29:1 The one who stiffens his neck after numerous rebukes will suddenly be destroyed without remedy.
29:2 When the righteous become numerous, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.
29:3 The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but whoever associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth.
29:4 A king brings stability to a land by justice, but one who exacts tribute tears it down.
29:5 The one who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his steps.
29:6 In the transgression of an evil person there is a snare, but a righteous person can sing and rejoice.
29:7 The righteous person cares for the legal rights of the poor; the wicked does not understand such knowledge.
29:8 Scornful people inflame a city, but those who are wise turn away wrath.
29:9 If a wise person goes to court with a foolish person, there is no peace whether he is angry or laughs.
29:10 Bloodthirsty people hate someone with integrity; as for the upright, they seek his life.
29:11 A fool lets fly with all his temper, but a wise person keeps it back.
29:12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his ministers will be wicked.
29:13 The poor person and the oppressor have this in common: the Lord gives light to the eyes of them both.
29:14 If a king judges the poor in truth, his throne will be established forever.
29:15 A rod and reproof impart wisdom, but a child who is unrestrained brings shame to his mother.
29:16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases, but the righteous will see their downfall.
29:17 Discipline your child, and he will give you rest; he will bring you happiness.
29:18 When there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but the one who keeps the law, blessed is he!
29:19 A servant cannot be corrected by words, for although he understands, there is no answer.
29:20 Do you see someone who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
29:21 If someone pampers his servant from youth, he will be a weakling in the end.
29:22 An angry person stirs up dissension, and a wrathful person is abounding in transgression.
29:23 A person’s pride will bring him low, but one who has a lowly spirit will gain honor.
29:24 Whoever shares with a thief is his own enemy; he hears the oath to testify, but does not talk.
29:25 The fear of people becomes a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be set on high.
29:26 Many people seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one receives justice.
29:27 An unjust person is an abomination to the righteous, and the one who lives an upright life is an abomination to the wicked.

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