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17 Better to hear the quiet words of a wise person
    than the shouts of a foolish king.

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17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
    than the shouts of a ruler of fools.

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17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 3:18 Or of good things, or of justice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven(A) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,(B) considerate, submissive, full of mercy(C) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.(D) 18 Peacemakers(E) who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.(F)

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23 In the end, people appreciate honest criticism
    far more than flattery.

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23 Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor
    rather than one who has a flattering tongue.(A)

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20 Human anger[a] does not produce the righteousness[b] God desires.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:20a Greek A man’s anger.
  2. 1:20b Or the justice.

20 because human anger(A) does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

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He will not shout
    or raise his voice in public.

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He will not shout or cry out,(A)
    or raise his voice in the streets.

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Samuel Leads Israel to Victory

Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you want to return to the Lord with all your hearts, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Turn your hearts to the Lord and obey him alone; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.” So the Israelites got rid of their images of Baal and Ashtoreth and worshiped only the Lord.

Then Samuel told them, “Gather all of Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.” So they gathered at Mizpah and, in a great ceremony, drew water from a well and poured it out before the Lord. They also went without food all day and confessed that they had sinned against the Lord. (It was at Mizpah that Samuel became Israel’s judge.)

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So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning(A) to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid(B) yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths(C) and commit(D) yourselves to the Lord and serve him only,(E) and he will deliver(F) you out of the hand of the Philistines.” So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only.

Then Samuel(G) said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah,(H) and I will intercede(I) with the Lord for you.” When they had assembled at Mizpah,(J) they drew water and poured(K) it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” Now Samuel was serving as leader[a](L) of Israel at Mizpah.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 7:6 Traditionally judge; also in verse 15

33 “Therefore, Pharaoh should find an intelligent and wise man and put him in charge of the entire land of Egypt. 34 Then Pharaoh should appoint supervisors over the land and let them collect one-fifth of all the crops during the seven good years. 35 Have them gather all the food produced in the good years that are just ahead and bring it to Pharaoh’s storehouses. Store it away, and guard it so there will be food in the cities. 36 That way there will be enough to eat when the seven years of famine come to the land of Egypt. Otherwise this famine will destroy the land.”

Joseph Made Ruler of Egypt

37 Joseph’s suggestions were well received by Pharaoh and his officials. 38 So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?” 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. 40 You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.”

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33 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man(A) and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.(B) 34 Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners(C) over the land to take a fifth(D) of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.(E) 35 They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food.(F) 36 This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt,(G) so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”

37 The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials.(H) 38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God[a]?”(I)

39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you,(J) there is no one so discerning and wise as you.(K) 40 You shall be in charge of my palace,(L) and all my people are to submit to your orders.(M) Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.(N)

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 41:38 Or of the gods

He will not falter or lose heart
    until justice prevails throughout the earth.
    Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 42:4 Greek version reads And his name will be the hope of all the world. Compare Matt 12:21.

    he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice(A) on earth.
    In his teaching(B) the islands(C) will put their hope.”(D)

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