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24 The diligent will take control,
    but the lazy will be put to forced labor.

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10 A rebuke is more effective with a man of understanding
    than a hundred lashes to a fool.
11 A rebellious person seeks evil;
    a cruel emissary will be sent to oppose him.

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Many claim “I’m a loyal person!”[a]
    but who can find someone who truly is?

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:6 Lit. claim to be people of gracious love

A king sits on a throne of justice,
    sifting out all sorts of evil with his glance.

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30 Blows that wound clean away evil;
    such beatings cleanse[a] the innermost being.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:30 The Heb. lacks cleanse

11 Whoever loves purity[a] and gracious speech
    will gain the king as his friend.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:11 Lit. purity of heart

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
    and the glory of kings to investigate a matter.

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Purge the wicked from the king’s presence,
    and his throne will be established in righteousness.

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21 To show partiality isn’t good,
    yet for a piece of bread the valiant will transgress.

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12 When a ruler is listening to lies,
    all of his officials tend to become wicked.

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Dangerous Behaviors

19 By mere words a servant will not be corrected;
    even though he understands,
        there will be no response.

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21 If you pamper a servant from his childhood,
    later on he’ll become ungrateful.

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