29 Do you see a person skilled in his work?
He will (A)stand before kings;
He will not stand before obscure people.

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29 Do you see any truly competent workers?
    They will serve kings
    rather than working for ordinary people.

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A (A)wise man is [a]strong,
And a person of knowledge [b]increases power.
For (B)by wise guidance you will [c]wage war,
And (C)in an abundance of counselors there is victory.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:5 Lit in strength
  2. Proverbs 24:5 Lit strengthens power
  3. Proverbs 24:6 Lit make battle for yourself

The wise are mightier than the strong,[a]
    and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.
So don’t go to war without wise guidance;
    victory depends on having many advisers.

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Footnotes

  1. 24:5 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads A wise man is strength.

27 Prepare your work outside,
And (A)make it ready for yourself in the field;
Afterward, then, build your house.

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27 Do your planning and prepare your fields
    before building your house.

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Take away the [a](A)impurities from the silver,
And there comes out a vessel for the (B)smith;
Take away the (C)wicked before the king,
And his (D)throne will be established in righteousness.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:4 Lit dross

Remove the impurities from silver,
    and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.
Remove the wicked from the king’s court,
    and his reign will be made secure by justice.

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15 Through [a](A)patience a ruler may be persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks bone.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:15 Lit length of anger

15 Patience can persuade a prince,
    and soft speech can break bones.

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The (A)king gives stability to the land by justice,
But a person who takes bribes ruins it.

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A just king gives stability to his nation,
    but one who demands bribes destroys it.

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14 If a (A)king judges the poor with truth,
His (B)throne will be established forever.

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14 If a king judges the poor fairly,
    his throne will last forever.

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