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10 A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding
    than a hundred lashes into a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion;
    therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

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10 A rebuke is more effective with a man of understanding
    than a hundred lashes to a fool.
11 A rebellious person seeks evil;
    a cruel emissary will be sent to oppose him.

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20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
    that you may be wise in your latter end.

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20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,
    and you’ll be wise for the rest of your life.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:20 The Heb. lacks of your life

27 If you stop listening to instruction, my son,
    you will stray from the words of knowledge.

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27 My son, if you stop listening to instruction,
    you will stray from the principles of knowledge.

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The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion.
    He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.

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A king’s anger is like a lion’s roar;
    anyone who angers him forfeits his life.

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Many men claim to be men of unfailing love,
    but who can find a faithful man?

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Many claim “I’m a loyal person!”[a]
    but who can find someone who truly is?

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:6 Lit. claim to be people of gracious love

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

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A king sits on a throne of justice,
    sifting out all sorts of evil with his glance.

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11 Even a child makes himself known by his doings,
    whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.

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11 Even a child is known by his actions,
    whether his deeds are pure and right.

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30 Wounding blows cleanse away evil,
    and beatings purge the innermost parts.

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30 Blows that wound clean away evil;
    such beatings cleanse[a] the innermost being.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:30 The Heb. lacks cleanse

21 The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses.
    He turns it wherever he desires.

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Thoughts on the Sovereignty of God

21 A king’s heart is a water stream that the Lord controls;
he directs it wherever he pleases.

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11 He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully
    is the king’s friend.

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11 Whoever loves purity[a] and gracious speech
    will gain the king as his friend.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:11 Lit. purity of heart

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing,
    but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
    so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
Take away the dross from the silver,
    and material comes out for the refiner;
Take away the wicked from the king’s presence,
    and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
    or claim a place among great men;
for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
    than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
    whom your eyes have seen.

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It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
    and the glory of kings to investigate a matter.
Just as the heavens are high
    and earth is deep,
        so the heart of a king is unfathomable.

Purge the dross from the silver,
    and material for[a] a vessel comes forth for the silversmith.
Purge the wicked from the king’s presence,
    and his throne will be established in righteousness.

Don’t magnify yourself in the presence of a king,
    and don’t pretend to be in the company of famous men,
for it is better that it be told you, “Come up here,”
    than for you to be placed lower
        in the presence of an official.

What you’ve seen with your own eyes,

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:4 The Heb. lacks material for

18 Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit.
    He who looks after his master shall be honored.

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18 Whoever nurtures the fig tree will eat its fruit,
    and whoever obeys[a] his master will be honored.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:18 Lit. guards