1Also these are Proverbs of Solomon, that men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed: —
2The honour of God is to hide a thing, And the honour of kings to search out a matter.
3The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, And the heart of kings — are unsearchable.
4Take away dross from silver, And a vessel for the refiner goeth forth,
5Take away the wicked before a king, And established in righteousness is his throne.
6Honour not thyself before a king, And in the place of the great stand not.
7For better that he hath said to thee, 'Come thou up hither,' Than that he humble thee before a noble, Whom thine eyes have seen.
8Go not forth to strive, haste, turn, What dost thou in its latter end, When thy neighbour causeth thee to blush?
9Thy cause plead with thy neighbour, And the secret counsel of another reveal not,
10Lest the hearer put thee to shame, And thine evil report turn not back.
11Apples of gold in imagery of silver, Is the word spoken at its fit times.