1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. 3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. 5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: 7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. 9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: 10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. 12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. 13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters. 14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. 15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. 16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. 17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. 18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. 19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. 20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. 23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. 24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. 25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. 26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. 27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory. 28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Sālamana izteicieni: līdzības un pamācības
1 Arī šie ir Sālamana sakāmvārdi, ko pārrakstījuši Jūdas ķēniņa Hizkijas vīri.
2 Dieva gods – apslēpt,
bet ķēniņu gods – atklāt.
3 Ne debesu augstumu, ne zemes dziļumu,
ne ķēniņu domas nevar izmērot.
4 Prom sārņus no sudraba –
un kalējam iznāks trauks,
5 prom ļaundari no ķēniņa galma –
un stiprs taisnībā būs viņa tronis!
6 Nedižojies ķēniņa galmā
un starp augstmaņiem nenostājies –
7 labāk lai saka: nāc tu tuvāk! –
nekā tev atkāpties augstdzimuša priekšā!
Ko tavas acis redzējušas,
8 nesteidzies tūdaļ celt tiesas priekšā,
jo ko gan darīsi,
ja tas otrs apkaunos tevi?
9 Tiesājies ar vienu,
bet cita noslēpumus neatklāj,
10 jo tevi liks kaunā, kas to padzirdēs,
un neslava neatstāsies no tevis!
11 Kā zelta āboli, sudrabā iedarināti,
tā vārdi, vietā pasacīti!
12 Kā zelta gredzens un tīrzelta rota,
tā gudrā rājiens dzirdīgām ausīm!
13 Kā sniega dzestrums pļaujas laikā,
tā uzticams vēstnesis tiem, kas viņu sūta!
Viņš atspirdzina dvēseli saviem kungiem!
14 Mākoņi un vējš, bet lietus nav! –
tāpat tas, kurš tik sola un sola.
15 Kas savaldīgs, dabū valdnieku savā pusē,
un mīksta mēle lauž kaulus.
16 Atradi medu? – ēd ar sātu,
ja būs tev pār mēru, izvemsi to!
17 Neej par biežu kaimiņa namā,
ja būs tam pār mēru, viņš ienīdīs tevi!
18 Kā milna un šķēps un kā asa bulta –
tāds, kurš pret kaimiņu liecina melus!
19 Kā aizlūzis zobs, kā grīļīga kāja –
uz viltvārdi paļauties posta dienā!
20 Kā novilkt mēteli aukstā dienā,
kā liet etiķi pie sārma –
tā dziesmas dziedāt skumīgai sirdij!
21 Ja tavs naidnieks izsalcis, paēdini viņu,
un, ja tam slāpst, padzirdi viņu –
22 tu būsi sarausis kvēlošas ogles uz viņa galvas,
un Kungs tev atlīdzinās.
23 Ziemeļvējš apmāc debesis –
vaigu nomāc aprunāšana.
24 Labāk tad mājot jumta galā,
ne vienā namā ar ķildīgu sievu!
25 Vēss ūdens kaltušai rīklei –
ir laba vēsts no tālas zemes!
26 Izbradāts avots, sagrauta aka –
ir taisnais, kas paklūp ļaundara priekšā!
27 Ne pārēsties medu ir labi,
ne paģērēt godu ir gods!
28 Nograuta pilsēta bez mūriem –
tāds ir vīrs, kurš nevalda pār savu garu!
