- These are the [a] miscellaneous
instructions of Solomon, which the friends of Ezekias king of Judea
copied out.
- The glory of God conceals a matter: but glory of a king honours
business.
- Heaven is high, and earth is deep, and a king's heart is
unsearchable.
- Beat the drossy silver, and it shall be made entirely pure.
- Slav the ungodly from before the king, and his throne shall
prosper in righteousness.
- Be not boastful in the presence of the king, and remain not in the
places of princes;
- for it is better for thee that it should be said, Come up
to me, than that one should humble thee in the presence of
the prince; speak of that which thine eyes have seen.
- Get not suddenly into a quarrel, lest thou repent at last.
- Whenever thy friend shall reproach thee, retreat backward, despise
him not;
- lest thy friend continue to reproach thee, so thy quarrel and enmity
shall not depart, but shall be to thee like death. Favour and
friendship set man free, which do thou keep for thyself, lest
thou be made liable to reproach; but take heed to thy ways peaceably.
- As a golden apple in a necklace of sardius, so is
it to speak a wise word.
- In an ear-ring of gold a precious sardius is also set; so
is a wise word to an obedient ear.
- As a fall of snow in the time of harvest is good against heat, so
a faithful messenger refreshes those that send him; for he
helps the souls of his employers.
- As wind and clouds and rains are most evident objects, so
is he that boasts of a false gift.
- In long-suffering is prosperity to kings, and a soft tongue breaks
the bones.
- Having found honey, eat only what is enough, lest haply
thou be filled, and vomit it up.
- Enter sparingly into thy friend's house, lest he be satiated with
thy company, and hate thee.
- As a club, and a dagger, and a pointed arrow, so also is
a man who bears false witness against his friend.
- The way of the wicked and the foot of the transgressor shall
perish in an evil day.
- As vinegar is bad for a sore, so trouble befalling the body
afflicts the heart. As a moth in a garment, and a worm in wood, so the
grief of a man hurts the heart.
- If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink;
- for so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the
Lord shall reward thee with good.
- The north wind raises clouds; so an impudent face provokes the
tongue.
- It is better to dwell on a corner of the roof, than with
a railing woman in an open house.
- As cold water is agreeable to a thirsting soul, so is a good
message from a land far off.
- As if one should stop a well, and corrupt a spring of water, so
is it unseemly for a righteous man to fall before an ungodly
man.
- It is not good to eat much honey; but it is right to honour
venerable sayings.
- As a city whose walls are broken down, and which is unfortified,
so is a man who does anything without counsel.
[a] Possibly genuine, q. d. beyond doubt.
[English translation of the Septuagint by Sir Lancelot Charles Lee
Brenton (1807-1862) originally published by Samuel Bagster & Sons,
Ltd., London, 1851]