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,
    so 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
    and act as if you are great.
⁷ It is better for him to give you a higher position
    than to bring you down in front of the prince.

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.