² God is honored for what he keeps secret.
    Kings are honored for what they can discover.

³ No one can measure the height of the skies or the depth of the earth.
    So also no one can understand the mind of a king.

⁴ Remove the scum from the silver.
    Then the silver can be used by the silversmith.
⁵ Remove wicked people from the king’s presence.
    Then his government will be honest and last a long time.

⁶ Don’t brag to the king.
    Don’t act as if you are a great man.
⁷ It is better for him to promote you to a higher job
    than to give you a less important position.

Because of something you have seen,

¹⁵ With patience you can convince a ruler.
    And a gentle word can get through to the hard-headed.