²⁴ The diligent hand will rule,
but laziness will lead to forced labor.^(A)

¹⁰ A rebuke cuts into a perceptive person
more than a hundred lashes into a fool.

¹¹ An evil man seeks only rebellion;
a cruel messenger^[a](A) will be sent against him.

⁶ Many a man proclaims his own loyalty,
but who can find a trustworthy man?^(A)

⁸ A king sitting on a throne to judge
sifts out all evil with his eyes.^(A)

³⁰ Lashes and wounds purge away evil,^(A)
and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.^[a]

¹¹ The one who loves a pure heart
and gracious lips—the king is his friend.^(A)

² It is the glory of God to conceal a matter^(A)
and the glory of kings to investigate a matter.

²¹ It is not good to show partiality^(A)—
yet a man may sin for a piece of bread.^(B)

¹² If a ruler listens to lies,^(A)
all his officials will be wicked.