¹¹ Those who love a pure heart—
    their speech is gracious, and the king is their friend.

23 When you sit down to dine with a ruler,
    carefully consider what is in front of you.
² Place a knife at your throat
    to control your appetite.
³ Don’t long for the ruler’s delicacies;
    the food misleads.

²¹ Fear the Lord, my child, as well as the king.
    Don’t associate with those who are rebellious.
²² Disaster comes suddenly from them.
    Who can know the ruin that both can bring?

⁴ Remove the dross from the silver,
    and a vessel will come out for the refiner.
⁵ Remove the wicked from the king’s presence,
    and his throne will be established in righteousness.

⁶ Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
    or stand in the place of important people,
⁷     because it is better that he say to you,
    “Come up here,”
    than to be demoted before a ruler.

What your eyes see,

¹⁵ A commander can be persuaded with patience,
    and a tender tongue can break a bone.