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 forthhastily 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[a] to another:
10
Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11
A wordfitly[b]*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 wisereprover upon an obedientear.