Proverbs

³As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. ⁴Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel; ⁵remove wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness. ⁶Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men; ⁷it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before his nobles. What you have seen with your eyes ⁸do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame? ⁹If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence,