Proverbs 25:3-7

3 As the heaven is high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be investigated.

4 Remove impurities from silver, and a vessel will be produced^[a] for a silversmith.

5 Remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

6 Don't brag about yourself before the king, and don't stand in the place of the great;

7 for it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here!" than to demote you in plain view of a noble.^[b] ^[c]

Proverbs 25:3-7 In-Context

1 These too are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, copied.

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to investigate a matter.

3 As the heaven is high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be investigated.

4 Remove impurities from silver, and a vessel will be produced for a silversmith.

5 Remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

6 Don't brag about yourself before the king, and don't stand in the place of the great;

7 for it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here!" than to demote you in plain view of a noble.

8 Don't take a matter to court hastily. Otherwise, what will you do afterwards if your opponent humiliates you?

9 Make your case with your opponent without revealing another's secret;