When a land transgresses, (A)it has many rulers,
    but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
    its stability will long continue.
(B)A poor man who oppresses the poor
    is a beating rain that leaves no food.
Those who forsake the law (C)praise the wicked,
    but those who keep the law (D)strive against them.
Evil men (E)do not understand justice,
    but those who seek the Lord (F)understand it completely.

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

A ruler[a] who oppresses the poor
    is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
    but those who heed it resist them.

Evildoers do not understand what is right,
    but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:3 Or A poor person