More Proverbs of Solomon

The chapter begins by identifying these sayings as Solomonic proverbs copied by Hezekiah's men, then contrasts God's glory in concealing matters with kings' glory in searching them out. It urges the removal of wicked influence from royal presence and commends humility before rulers, since an honorable summons upward is better than self-exaltation that must be reversed.

T¹hese are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah: ²It is the glory of God to conceal a matter ³As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, ⁴Remove the dross from the silver, ⁵Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, ⁶Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, ⁷for it is better to be told, “Come up here!”

The reader is warned not to rush hastily into court but to reason matters out with a neighbor carefully, lest public exposure bring irreversible shame. Wisdom values measured handling of disputes and protects reputation by refusing reckless escalation.

⁸do not bring hastily to court. ⁹Argue your case with your neighbor ¹⁰lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,

A well-timed word, a wise rebuke, and a faithful messenger are all pictured as precious and refreshing, while empty boasting is compared to clouds without rain. The sequence closes by showing that patience and gentle speech can even persuade a ruler, so wisdom's strength appears in fittingness rather than force.

¹¹A word fitly spoken ¹²Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold ¹³Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest ¹⁴Like clouds and wind without rain ¹⁵Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,

Moderation is urged even in good things like honey, and social boundaries are respected so that neighbors are not worn out by overfamiliarity. False witness, unreliable friends, and cheerful songs offered to a grieving heart are all exposed as forms of harm that ignore what another person truly needs.

¹⁶If you find honey, eat just what you need, ¹⁷Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, ¹⁸Like a club or sword or sharp arrow ¹⁹Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint ²⁰Like one who removes a garment on a cold day

The wise are told to feed a hungry enemy and give drink to a thirsty one, leaving judgment with the LORD who repays. The paragraph then pairs cause and effect in social life: a backbiting tongue provokes angry looks, and a quarrelsome household can make even a roof corner seem preferable to shared comfort.

²¹If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, ²²For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, ²³As the north wind brings forth rain, ²⁴Better to live on a corner of the roof

Good news from far away refreshes like cold water to a weary soul, whereas a righteous person who yields before the wicked becomes like a polluted spring. The chapter closes by warning against excess even in sweetness and by likening a man without self-control to a defenseless city whose walls have fallen.

²⁵Like cold water to a weary soul ²⁶Like a muddied spring or a polluted well ²⁷It is not good to eat too much honey ²⁸Like a city whose walls are broken down