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

^7 [a](A)Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool,
Much less are ^(B)lying lips to a prince.

^6 (A)Many will seek the favor of a ^[a]generous man,
And every man is a friend to him who ^(B)gives gifts.

23 When you sit down to dine with a ruler,
Consider carefully ^[a]what is before you,
² And put a knife to your throat
If you are a ^(A)man of great appetite.
³ Do not ^(B)desire his delicacies,
For it is deceptive food.

² By the transgression of a land ^(A)many are its princes,
But ^(B)by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.

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

^26 (A)Many seek the ruler’s ^[a]favor,
But ^(B)justice for man comes from the Lord.