1 Also, these are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiyah {Chizqiyah: Strength of Yah} king of Judah transcribed {heetiqu: set down in writing}.
2 It is the glory of God {Elohim, Majestic One} to conceal a matter {davar: matter at hand}, but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.
3 As the heavens are for height and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings {melakhim: royal rulers} cannot be searched {cheker: thoroughly investigated}.
4 Remove the dross {sigim: impurities} from the silver, and a vessel will come out for the refiner {tzoref: skilled metalworker}.
5 Remove the wicked {rasha: morally corrupt} from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness {tzedek: just order}.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king {melek: sovereign ruler}, and do not stand in the place of great men {gedolim: high-ranking individuals}.
7 For it is better for you to be told, “Come up here,” than to be humiliated {mehashpīlkha: deliberate shame} before a prince {nadiv: noble leader} whom you have seen.
8 Do not go out hastily to bring a case {lariv: legal dispute}, lest you not know what to do in the end when your companion brings you to shame {haklim: public disgrace}.
9 Dispute the matter {riv: legal contention} with your neighbor in person, and do not reveal another’s secret {sod: confidential matter}.
10 Lest the hearer shame you, and your reproach {dibah: slander} will not return {tashuv: be removed}.
11 Apples of gold in settings of silver are like a word {davar: carefully crafted message} spoken at the right time upon its circumstances {ofnav: fitly matched situation}.
12 Like a gold earring{neẓem: precious personal ornament} and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon a listening ear{šōmēa‘: receptive to correction}.
13 As the cold of snow in the day of harvest {qatsir: time of gathering}, so is a faithful messenger {neeman: steadfastly reliable} to those who send him; and he restores the soul of his masters.
14 A man who boasts {mithallel: self-praise} of a false {sheqer: deception} gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 By patience {appayim: slow to anger}, a ruler is persuaded, and a gentle tongue {lashon: speech} can break a bone.
16 If you find honey, eat what is sufficient {daiyekha: your portion} for you, lest you become glutted {tishbaenu: be overfilled} and vomit it.
17 Make your visits {hoqar: limited presence} rare at your neighbor’s {re’a: close companion} house, lest he become sated with you and hate you.
18 A man who bears false witness {ed: false testimony} against his neighbor is like a breaker {mefits: one who shatters}, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Like a broken tooth and a slipping foot, so is confidence in a treacherous person {boged: one who betrays trust} in a day of trouble {tsarah: intense distress}.
20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on natron {nater: soda ash mineral}, so is the one who sings songs to a troubled heart {lev: inner being}.
21 If your enemy {sone: one who hates} is hungry, feed him bread, and if he is thirsty {tzame: parched}, give him water to drink.
22 For you will heap coals {gechalim: fiery embers} upon his head, and the LORD {YHWH, Just Rewarder} will repay you.
23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a tongue {leshon sater: hidden slander} brings forth an angry face {panim: visible expression}.
24 It is better to dwell on the corner of a rooftop {pinnat: exposed overhang} than with a quarrelsome woman and in a shared house {haver: shared housing}.
25 Like cold water upon a weary soul {nefesh: life-breath}, so is good news from a distant land {eretz: territory}.
26 Like a muddied spring and a ruined fountain, so is the righteous {tsaddiq: upright person} who falls before the wicked {rasha: evildoer}.
27 Eating too much honey {devash: sweet indulgence} is not good, nor is seeking one’s own glory {kavod: weighty esteem} truly honorable.
28 A city broken down {perutsah: breached defenses}, without a wall, is like a man who has no restraint {matsar: self-control} over his spirit.