The first four lines of verses 6-7 are again a unit in that verse 7 supplies the reason for following the advice of verse 6. The third line of verse 7 belongs with verse 8. The advice given in this saying is similar to that given by Christ in his parable about a wedding feast (Luke 14.7-11).

“Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence”: “Put yourself forward” translates a verb form meaning to honor yourself or claim honor for yourself. The verb form includes a masculine singular second person pronoun; however, in translation “yourself” may be handled as inclusive and plural, or some other form of reference to persons in general may be used. “In the king’s presence” may mean “when you are with the king” or “. . . where the king is.” This saying seems to assume a gathering of high-ranking people.

“Or stand in the place of the great”: The place where a person stood or sat was determined by rank or by the king’s special favor. “The great” refers to persons of high rank. In some languages such people are called “big boss men,” “the strong ones,” or “important people.” See Good News Translation. We may translate this saying, for example, “Don’t act like an important person when you are with the king or put yourself where the important people stand.” Contemporary English Version combines the two lines into one: “Don’t try to seem important in the court of a ruler.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .