It is the glory of God to (A)conceal things,
    but the glory of kings is to (B)search things out.
As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
    so the heart of kings is (C)unsearchable.
Take away (D)the dross from the silver,
    and (E)the smith has material for a vessel;
take away (F)the wicked from the presence of the king,
    and his (G)throne will be established in righteousness.
Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence
    or stand in the place of the great,
for (H)it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
    than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

What your eyes have seen

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The glory of God[a] conceals things,
    but the glory of kings searches out things.
As heaven is to height and the earth is to depth,
    so is the heart[b] of kings—there is no searching.
Remove the dross from silver,
    and it will become a vessel for the smith.
Remove the wicked before a king,
    and his throne will be established in righteousness.[c]
Do not promote yourself before the king,
    and in the place of the great ones do not stand.
For it is better that he say to you, “Ascend here,”
    than he humble you before a noble.
What your eyes have seen,

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:2 Or “gods”
  2. Proverbs 25:3 Or “mind”
  3. Proverbs 25:5 Hebrew “in the righteousness”

15 With (A)patience a ruler may be persuaded,
    and a soft tongue will break a bone.

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15 With patience[a] a ruler may be persuaded,
    and a soft tongue will break a bone.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:15 Literally “With length of face”
  2. Proverbs 25:15 Or “strength”