Proverbs 25:5-12

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

⁶Do not glorify thyself in the presence of the king, and force thyself not into the place of great men;

⁷For better it is that it be said unto thee, “Come up hither,” than that thou shouldst be put lower in the presence of the prince, which thy own eyes have often seen.

⁸Do not proceed to a contest hastily, lest thou know not what thou wilt have to do at its end, when thy neighbor hath put thee to confusion.

⁹Carry on thy cause with thy neighbor; but lay not open the secret of another:

¹⁰Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thy infamy never be removed.

¹¹Like apples of gold among figures of silver is a word spoken in a proper manner.

¹²As an earring of gold, and a pendant of fine gold, so is a wise reprover toward an ear that listeneth.