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28 In a multitude of people is a king’s splendor,
But in the dearth of people is a prince’s ruin.

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28 A large population is a king’s glory,
    but a shortage of people is a ruler’s ruin.

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(A)Excellent lips are not fitting for a [a]wicked fool,
Even less are (B)lying lips for a noble man.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:7 One who rejects wisdom in rebellion against God

Appropriate speech is inconsistent with the fool;
    how much more are deceitful statements[a] with a prince!

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:7 Lit. lips

(A)Many will seek the favor of a noble man,
And everyone is a friend to a man who (B)gives gifts.

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Many curry favor of an official;
    everyone is a friend of the gift giver.

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The Fear of Yahweh

23 When you sit down to dine with a ruler,
Understand well [a]what is before you,
So you should put a knife to your throat
If you are a (A)man of appetite.
Do not (B)desire his delicacies,
For it is bread of falsehood.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:1 Or who

Things to Avoid in Life

23 Whenever you sit down to dine with a ruler,
carefully think about what is before you.
Put a knife to your own throat,
    if you have a big appetite.[a]
Don’t crave his delicacies,
    because the meal is deceptive.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:2 Lit. a master of an appetite

15 (A)When one is slow to anger, a ruler may be persuaded,
And a soft tongue breaks the bone.

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15 Through patience a ruler may be persuaded;
    a gentle word[a] can break a bone.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:15 Lit. tongue

By the transgression of a land (A)many are its princes,
But (B)by a man who understands, who knows, so it endures.

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When a land transgresses,
    it gains a succession of leaders,
but with an understanding and knowledgeable man,
    its stability endures.

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12 If a (A)ruler pays attention to a lying word,
All his ministers become wicked.

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

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26 (A)Many seek the face of a ruler,
But (B)justice for man comes from Yahweh.

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26 Many seek a ruler’s favor,[a]
    but justice for a man comes from the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:26 Lit. face