In the presence of the king
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These are also proverbs of Solomon, that men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed:
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The glory of God [is] to hide a thing, || And the glory of kings [is] to search out a matter.
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The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, || And the heart of kings—[are] unsearchable.
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Take away dross from silver, || And a vessel goes forth for the refiner,
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Take away the wicked before a king, || And his throne is established in righteousness.
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Do not honor yourself before a king, || And do not stand in the place of the great.
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For better [that] he has said to you, “Come up here,” || Than [that] he humbles you before a noble, || Whom your eyes have seen.
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Do not go forth to strive, hurry, turn, || What do you do in its latter end, || When your neighbor causes you to blush?
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Plead your cause with your neighbor, || And do not reveal the secret counsel of another,
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Lest the hearer put you to shame, || And your evil report not turn back.
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Apples of gold in imagery of silver, || [Is] the word spoken at its fit times.
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A ring of gold, and an ornament of pure gold, || [Is] the wise reprover to an attentive ear.
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As a vessel of snow in a day of harvest, || [So is] a faithful ambassador to those sending him, || And he refreshes the soul of his masters.
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Clouds and wind without rain, || [Is] a man boasting himself in a false gift.
Friend and foe
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A ruler is persuaded by long-suffering, || And a soft tongue breaks a bone.
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You have found honey—eat your sufficiency, || Lest you are satiated [with] it, and have vomited it.
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Withdraw your foot from your neighbor’s house, || Lest he is satiated [with] you, and has hated you.
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A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, || [Is] the man testifying a false testimony against his neighbor.
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A bad tooth, and a tottering foot, || [Is] the confidence of the treacherous in a day of adversity.
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Whoever is taking away a garment in a cold day, || [Is as] vinegar on natron, || And a singer of songs on a sad heart.
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If he who is hating you hungers, cause him to eat bread, || And if he thirsts, cause him to drink water.
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For you are putting coals on his head, || And YHWH gives repayment to you.
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A north wind brings forth rain, || And a secret tongue—indignant faces.
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Better to sit on a corner of a roof, || Than [with] a woman of contentions, and a house of company.
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[As] cold waters for a weary soul, || So [is] a good report from a far country.
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A spring troubled, and a fountain corrupt, || [Is] the righteous falling before the wicked.
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The eating of much honey is not good, || Nor a searching out of one’s own honor—honor.
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A city broken down without walls, || [Is] a man without restraint over his spirit!
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