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28 A king is honored when he has many people to rule.
    But a prince is ruined if he has none.

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28 A large population is a king’s glory,
    but without subjects a prince is ruined.(A)

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28 In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

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Foolish people should not be proud.
    And rulers should not be liars!

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Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—
    how much worse lying lips to a ruler!(A)

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Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

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Many people want to please a leader.
    And everyone is friends with those who give gifts.

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Many curry favor with a ruler,(A)
    and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.(B)

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Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

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23 If you sit down to eat with a ruler,
    notice the food that is in front of you.
Control yourself
    if you have a big appetite.
Don’t be greedy for his fine foods.
    He might use that rich food to trick you.

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Saying 7

23 When you sit to dine with a ruler,
    note well what[a] is before you,
and put a knife to your throat
    if you are given to gluttony.
Do not crave his delicacies,(A)
    for that food is deceptive.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:1 Or who

23 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:

And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.

Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.

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15 With patience you can convince a ruler.
    And a gentle word can get through to the hard-headed.

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15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,(A)
    and a gentle tongue can break a bone.(B)

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15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

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When a country is disobedient, it has one ruler after another.
    But when it is led by a man with understanding and knowledge, it continues strong.

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When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
    but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.

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For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

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12 If a ruler pays attention to lies,
    then all his officers will become wicked.

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12 If a ruler(A) listens to lies,
    all his officials become wicked.(B)

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12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

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26 Many people want to be heard by a ruler.
    But fairness comes from the Lord.

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26 Many seek an audience with a ruler,(A)
    but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.(B)

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26 Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the Lord.

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