²⁸ In the multitude of people is the king’s glory;
But in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

^7 [a]Excellent speech becometh not a fool;
Much less do lying lips a prince.

⁶ Many will entreat the favor of ^[a]the liberal man;
And every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

23 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler,
Consider diligently ^[a]him that is before thee;
^2 [b]And put a knife to thy throat,
If thou be a man given to appetite.
³ Be not desirous of his dainties;
Seeing they are deceitful food.

¹⁵ By long forbearing is a ^[a]ruler persuaded,
And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

² For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof;
But by ^[a]men of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

¹² If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood,
All his servants are wicked.

²⁶ Many seek the ruler’s favor;
But a man’s judgment cometh from Jehovah.