10 The phrase “for him” is supplied in the translation for clarity.
11 This proverb, covering the two verses, is teaching that it is wiser to be promoted than to risk demotion by self-promotion. The point is clear: Trying to promote oneself could bring on public humiliation; but it would be an honor to have everyone in court hear the promotion by the king.
12 The two infinitives construct form the contrast in this “better” sayings; each serves as the subject of its respective clause.
13 Most modern commentators either omit this last line or attach it to the next verse. But it is in the text of the as well as the , , , and most modern English versions (although some of them do connect it to the following verse, e.g., , , , ).
14 Heb “do not go out hastily to strive”; the verb “to strive” means dispute in the legal context. The last clause of v. 7, “what your eyes have seen,” does fit very well with the initial clause of v. 8. It would then say: What you see, do not take hastily to court, but if the case was not valid, he would end up in disgrace. The Hebrew verb רִיב (riv) is often used in legal contexts; here the warning is not to go to court hastily lest it turn out badly.
15 The clause begins with פֶּן (pen, “lest”) which seems a bit out of place in this line. C. H. Toy suggests changing it to כִּי (ki, “for”) to make a better connection, instead of supplying an ellipsis: “lest it be said what …” (Proverbs [], ).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence

or stand in the place of the great,

for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”

than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

What your eyes have seen

do not hastily bring into court,

for what will you do in the end,

when your neighbor puts you to shame?

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,

and do not claim a place among his great men;

it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”

than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.

What you have seen with your eyes

do not bring hastily to court,

for what will you do in the end

if your neighbor puts you to shame?

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Don’t boast about yourself before the king,

and don’t stand in the place of the great;

for it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here!”

than to demote you in plain view of a noble.

Don’t take a matter to court hastily.

Otherwise, what will you do afterward

if your opponent humiliates you?

NLTNew Living Translation

Don’t demand an audience with the king

or push for a place among the great.

It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table

than to be sent away in public disgrace.

Just because you’ve seen something,

don’t be in a hurry to go to court.

For what will you do in the end

if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Do not promote yourself before the king,

and in the place of the great ones do not stand.

For it is better that he say to you, “Ascend here,”

than he humble you before a noble.

What your eyes have seen,

do not hastily bring out to court,

for what will you do at its end,

when your neighbor puts you to shame?

KJV 1900King James Version

Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king,

And stand not in the place of great men:

For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither;

Than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince

Whom thine eyes have seen.

Go not forth hastily to strive,

Lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof,

When thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

Public Domain