²⁸ Mercy and truth preserve the king:
    and his throne is upholden by mercy.

⁸ The way of man is froward and strange:
    but as for the pure, his work is right.

²⁹ A wicked man hardeneth his face:
    but as for the upright, he directeth his way.

¹⁰ Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out;
    yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

¹¹ He that loveth pureness of heart,
    for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.

23 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler,
consider diligently what is before thee:
² and put a knife to thy throat,
if thou be a man given to appetite.
³ Be not desirous of his dainties:
for they are deceitful meat.

⁵ Take away the wicked from before the king,
and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

⁶ He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool
cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.

¹⁰ The great God that formed all things
both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

²⁴ He that hateth dissembleth with his lips,
and layeth up deceit within him;

²⁵ when he speaketh fair, believe him not:
for there are seven abominations in his heart.

²⁶ Whose hatred is covered by deceit,
his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

²⁷ Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein:
and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

²⁸ A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it;
and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.