I Ching hexagram 15
Hexagram 15: Qian
Modesty · 地山謙 · Earth above, Mountain below
Staying humble about what you have and can do keeps things moving and helps them finish.
What this hexagram is about
Real ability or standing is yours, and the question is how to carry it. Qian (Modesty) shows a mountain hidden inside the earth, and the image text adds that a capable person evens out what is too much and what is too little.
A way to think about it
Where do you tend to announce your effort or your position, and what would change if you let the result speak for itself?
The text, with Legge's translation
Judgment
亨，君子有終。
Khien indicates progress and success. The superior man, (being humble as it implies), will have a (good) issue (to his undertakings).
Modesty lets things go through. The judgment adds that a capable person who keeps it brings what they start to a proper end.
Image
地中有山，謙；君子以裒多益寡，稱物平施。
(The trigram for) the earth and (that of) a mountain in the midst of it form Khien. The superior man, in accordance with this, diminishes what is excessive (in himself), and increases where there is any defect, bringing about an equality, according to the nature of the case, in his treatment (of himself and others).
Line 1 · 初六
謙謙君子，用涉大川，吉。
The first line, divided, shows us the superior man who adds humility to humility. (Even) the great stream may be crossed with this, and there will be good fortune.
At the very bottom of the hexagram you are modest, and then modest again. With that attitude you can take on something large, and the outlook is good.
Line 2 · 六二
鳴謙，貞吉。
The second line, divided, shows us humility that has made itself recognised. With firm correctness there will be good fortune.
Your modesty has become known and people talk about it, and keeping it steady and sincere works in your favor.
Line 3 · 九三
勞謙君子，有終吉。
The third line, undivided, shows the superior man of (acknowledged) merit. He will maintain his success to the end, and have good fortune.
Doing real work and taking no credit for it draws a response from people at every level, and you finish well.
Line 4 · 六四
无不利，撝謙。
The fourth line, divided, shows one, whose action would be in every way advantageous, stirring up (the more) his humility.
You show modesty in everything you do, so nothing here counts against you. Close to power, that habit matters.
Line 5 · 六五
不富，以其鄰，利用侵伐，无不利。
The fifth line, divided, shows one who, without being rich, is able to employ his neighbours. He may advantageously use the force of arms. All his movements will be advantageous.
The people around you stand with you out of respect, with no need for wealth. A modest leader may still act firmly against those who refuse to cooperate.
Line 6 · 上六
鳴謙，利用行師，征邑國。
The sixth line, divided, shows us humility that has made itself recognised. The subject of it will with advantage put his hosts in motion; but (he will only) punish his own towns and state.
Your modesty is known to everyone but has not yet got you what you aimed for. The text allows firm action only within your own domain, which means setting your own house in order.
Chinese text: the received Zhouyi, public domain. English: James Legge, The Yi King, Sacred Books of the East vol. 16 (1882), public domain. Plain notes written by this site.
Questions
I cast hexagram 15. Which text do I read?
With no changing lines, read the judgment: "Khien indicates progress and success. The superior man, (being humble as it implies), will have a (good) issue (to his undertakings)." With changing lines, read the lines that changed. When several change at once, Zhu Xi's rules decide which text leads, and the casting page marks it for you.
What are the nuclear, opposite and inverted hexagrams of Qian?
The nuclear hexagram is 40. Jie (Release). The opposite is 10. Lü (Treading). The inverted hexagram is 16. Yu (Enthusiasm).