²⁴ Work hard and become a leader;
    be lazy and become a slave.

¹⁰ A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding
    than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.

¹¹ Evil people are eager for rebellion,
    but they will be severely punished.

⁶ Many will say they are loyal friends,
    but who can find one who is truly reliable?

⁸ When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence,
    distinguishing the bad from the good.

³⁰ Physical punishment cleanses away evil;^[a]
    such discipline purifies the heart.

¹¹ Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech
    will have the king as a friend.

² It is God’s privilege to conceal things
    and the king’s privilege to discover them.

⁵ Remove the wicked from the king’s court,
    and his reign will be made secure by justice.

²¹ Showing partiality is never good,
    yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.

¹² If a ruler pays attention to liars,
    all his advisers will be wicked.