1. These are some more wise sayings from Solomon. These proverbs were copied by servants of Hezekiah, the king of Judah.
2. We honor God for the things he keeps secret. But we honor kings for the things they can discover.
3. We cannot discover how high the sky is above us or how deep the earth is below. The same is true with the minds of kings. We cannot understand them.
4. Remove the worthless things from silver to make it pure, and a worker can make something beautiful.
5. Take the evil advisors away from a king, and goodness will make his kingdom strong.
6. Don’t brag about yourself before the king and pretend you are someone important.
7. It is much better for the king to invite you to take a more important position than to embarrass you in front of his officials.
8. Don’t be too quick to tell a judge about something you saw. You will be embarrassed if someone else proves you wrong.
9. If you want to tell your friends about your own problems, tell them. But don’t discuss what someone told you in private.
10. Whoever hears it will lose their respect for you and will never trust you again.
11. Saying the right thing at the right time is like a golden apple in a silver setting.
12. Wise advice to a listening ear is like gold earrings or fine jewelry.
13. To his master who sent him, a messenger who can be trusted is as refreshing as a drink of cold water on a hot summer day.
14. People who promise to give gifts but never give them are like clouds and wind that bring no rain.