² When God hides a matter, he gets glory.
    When kings figure out a matter, they get glory.

³ The heavens are high and the earth is deep.
    In the same way, the minds of kings are impossible to figure out.

⁴ Remove the scum from the silver.
    Then the master worker can make something out of it.
⁵ Remove ungodly officials from where the king is.
    Then the king can make his throne secure because of the godliness around him.

⁶ Don’t brag in front of the king.
    Don’t claim a place among his great men.
⁷ Let the king say to you, “Come up here.”
    That’s better than for him to shame you in front of his nobles.

What you have seen with your own eyes

¹⁵ If you are patient, you can win an official over to your side.
    And gentle words can break a bone.