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10 A rebuke strikes deeper into a discerning person
    than a hundred blows into a fool.
11 Evil people seek only rebellion,
    but a cruel messenger will be sent against them.

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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.

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20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
    that you may gain wisdom for the future.(A)

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20 Get all the advice and instruction you can,
    so you will be wise the rest of your life.

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27 My child, stop ignoring instruction,
    straying[a] from words of knowledge.

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Footnotes

  1. 19.27 Cn: Meaning of Heb uncertain

27 If you stop listening to instruction, my child,
    you will turn your back on knowledge.

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The dread anger of a king is like the growling of a lion;
    anyone who provokes him to anger forfeits life itself.(A)

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The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar;
    to rouse his anger is to risk your life.

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Many proclaim themselves loyal,
    but who can find one worthy of trust?(A)

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

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A king who sits on the throne of judgment
    winnows all evil with his eyes.

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

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11 Even children make themselves known by their acts,
    by whether what they do is pure and right.(A)

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11 Even children are known by the way they act,
    whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.

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30 Blows that wound cleanse away evil;
    beatings make clean the innermost parts.

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

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Footnotes

  1. 20:30 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.

21 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
    he turns it wherever he will.

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21 The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord;
    he guides it wherever he pleases.

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11 Those who love a pure heart and are gracious in speech
    will have the king as a friend.(A)

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

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It is the glory of God to conceal things,
    but the glory of kings is to search things out.(A)
Like the heavens for height, like the earth for depth,
    so the mind of kings is unsearchable.
Take away the dross from the silver,
    and the smith has material for a vessel;(B)
take away the wicked from the presence of the king,
    and his throne will be established in righteousness.(C)
Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence
    or stand in the place of the great,
for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
    than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

What your eyes have seen(D)

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

No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth,
    or all that goes on in the king’s mind!

Remove the impurities from silver,
    and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.
Remove the wicked from the king’s court,
    and his reign will be made secure by justice.

Don’t demand an audience with the king
    or push for a place among the great.
It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table
    than to be sent away in public disgrace.

Just because you’ve seen something,

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18 Anyone who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
    and anyone who takes care of a master will be honored.(A)

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18 As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit,
    so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded.

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