21 He changes times and seasons;(A)
    he deposes(B) kings and raises up others.(C)
He gives wisdom(D) to the wise
    and knowledge to the discerning.(E)

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25 He will speak against the Most High(A) and oppress his holy people(B) and try to change the set times(C) and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.[a](D)

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Footnotes

  1. Daniel 7:25 Or for a year, two years and half a year

Do not lift your horns against heaven;
    do not speak so defiantly.(A)’”

No one from the east or the west
    or from the desert can exalt themselves.
It is God who judges:(B)
    He brings one down, he exalts another.(C)

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17 “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High(A) is sovereign(B) over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest(C) of people.’

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He raises the poor(A) from the dust
    and lifts the needy(B) from the ash heap;
he seats them(C) with princes,
    with the princes of his people.

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14 But I trust(A) in you, Lord;
    I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times(B) are in your hands;
    deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
    from those who pursue me.

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If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,(A) who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.(B)

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32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”(A)

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21 Then the people asked for a king,(A) and he gave them Saul(B) son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin,(C) who ruled forty years. 22 After removing Saul,(D) he made David their king.(E) God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;(F) he will do everything I want him to do.’(G)

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If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one penalty(A) for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me.”(B)

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18 He takes off the shackles(A) put on by kings
    and ties a loincloth[a] around their waist.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Job 12:18 Or shackles of kings / and ties a belt

15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven(A) but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.(B) 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition,(C) there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven(D) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,(E) considerate, submissive, full of mercy(F) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.(G)

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15 By me kings reign
    and rulers(A) issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,(B)
    and nobles—all who rule on earth.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers

10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead(A) this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

11 God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth,(B) possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor,(C) such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.(D)

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Solomon’s Wisdom

29 God gave Solomon wisdom(A) and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand(B) on the seashore.

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With my great power and outstretched arm(A) I made(B) the earth and its people and the animals(C) that are on it, and I give(D) it to anyone I please. Now I will give all your countries into the hands of my servant(E) Nebuchadnezzar(F) king of Babylon; I will make even the wild animals subject to him.(G) All nations will serve(H) him and his son and his grandson until the time(I) for his land comes; then many nations and great kings will subjugate(J) him.

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24 Without inquiry he shatters(A) the mighty(B)
    and sets up others in their place.(C)
25 Because he takes note of their deeds,(D)
    he overthrows them in the night(E) and they are crushed.(F)
26 He punishes them for their wickedness(G)
    where everyone can see them,
27 because they turned from following him(H)
    and had no regard for any of his ways.(I)
28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before him,
    so that he heard the cry of the needy.(J)
29 But if he remains silent,(K) who can condemn him?(L)
    If he hides his face,(M) who can see him?
Yet he is over individual and nation alike,(N)

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28 When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom(A) from God to administer justice.

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Your servant is here among the people you have chosen,(A) a great people, too numerous to count or number.(B) So give your servant a discerning(C) heart to govern your people and to distinguish(D) between right and wrong. For who is able(E) to govern this great people of yours?”

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked(F) for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment(G) in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked.(H) I will give you a wise(I) and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.

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The Lord sends poverty and wealth;(A)
    he humbles and he exalts.(B)
He raises(C) the poor(D) from the dust(E)
    and lifts the needy(F) from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
    and has them inherit a throne of honor.(G)

“For the foundations(H) of the earth are the Lord’s;
    on them he has set the world.

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16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:(A)

king of kings and lord of lords.(B)

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17 Every good and perfect gift is from above,(A) coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,(B) who does not change(C) like shifting shadows.

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30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,(A) who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness,(B) holiness(C) and redemption.(D)

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15 For I will give you(A) words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

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51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;(A)
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.(B)
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.(C)

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