Proverbs 25:6-14

⁶Don't try to make yourself look great before the king, and don't pretend to be among the important people,

⁷for it's better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be humiliated before a nobleman. Even though you've seen something with your own eyes,

⁸don't rush to take legal action, for what are you going to do in the end when your neighbor shows you're wrong and humiliates you?

⁹Discuss the case with your neighbor himself, and don't betray someone else's secret,

¹⁰otherwise whoever hears it will make you ashamed and you'll never lose your bad reputation.

¹¹Advice given at the right time is like golden apples set in silver.

¹²Constructive criticism from the wise to someone who listens is like a gold ring and a necklace of fine gold.

¹³Faithful messengers are as refreshing to their master as cold snow on a hot harvest day.

¹⁴Someone who boasts about a gift they never give is like cloud and wind without rain.