4. Remove the dross from the silver,and material for the silversmith will emerge;
5. remove the wicked from before the king,and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6. Do not honor yourself before the king,and do not stand in the place of great men;
7. for it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”than to put you lower before a prince,whom your eyes have seen.
8. Do not go out hastily to litigation,or what will you do afterwardwhen your neighbor puts you to shame?
9. When you argue a case with your neighbor,do not reveal the secret of another person,
10. lest the one who hears it put you to shameand your infamy will never go away.
11. Like apples of gold in settings of silver,so is a word skillfully spoken.
12. Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold,so is a wise reprover to the ear of the one who listens.
13. Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest,so is a faithful messenger to those who send him,for he refreshes the heart of his masters.
14. Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain,so is the one who boasts of a gift not given.