¹These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.
²It is God’s privilege to conceal thingsand the king’s privilege to discover them.
³No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth,or all that goes on in the king’s mind!
⁴Remove the impurities from silver,and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.
⁵Remove the wicked from the king’s court,and his reign will be made secure by justice.
⁶Don’t demand an audience with the kingor push for a place among the great.
⁷It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head tablethan to be sent away in public disgrace.Just because you’ve seen something,
⁸don’t be in a hurry to go to court.For what will you do in the endif your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?
⁹When arguing with your neighbor,don’t betray another person’s secret.
¹⁰Others may accuse you of gossip,and you will never regain your good reputation.