11 The one who loves a pure heart
and gracious lips—the king is his friend.(A)

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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

23 When you sit down to dine with a ruler,
consider carefully what[a] is before you,
and put a knife to your throat
if you have a big[b] appetite;
don’t desire his choice food,(A)
for that food is deceptive.

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Footnotes

  1. 23:1 Or who
  2. 23:2 Lit you are the master of an

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

21 My son, fear the Lord, as well as the king,(A)
and don’t associate with rebels,[a]
22 for destruction will come suddenly from them;
who knows what distress these two can bring?

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Footnotes

  1. 24:21 Or those given to change

21 My son, fear both the Lord and the king,
    and don’t keep company with rebels.
22 They will be destroyed suddenly,
    and who knows what kind of punishment will come from these two?

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It is the glory of God to conceal a matter(A)
and the glory of kings to investigate a matter.
As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
so the hearts of kings cannot be investigated.

Remove impurities from silver,(B)
and material will be produced[a] for a silversmith.[b](C)
Remove the wicked from the king’s presence,(D)
and his throne will be established in righteousness.(E)

Don’t boast about yourself before the king,
and don’t stand in the place of the great;
for it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here!”
than to demote you in plain view of a noble.[c](F)

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Footnotes

  1. 25:4 Lit will come out; Ex 32:24
  2. 25:4 Or and a vessel will be produced by a silversmith
  3. 25:7 Lit you before a noble whom your eyes see

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

15 A ruler can be persuaded through patience,
and a gentle tongue can break a bone.(A)

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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

When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers,(A)
but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.

A destitute leader[a] who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no food.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 28:3 LXX reads A wicked man

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

A poor man who oppresses the weak
    is like a rainstorm that destroys all[a] the crops.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:3 Lit. that leaves no

15 A wicked ruler over a helpless people(A)
is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.(B)

16 A leader who lacks understanding
is very oppressive,
but one who hates dishonest profit
prolongs his life.(C)

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15 A roaring lion and a charging bear—
    that’s what a wicked tyrant is over poor people.
16 A Commander-in-Chief[a] who is a cruel oppressor lacks understanding,
    but whoever hates unjust gain will live longer.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:16 Lit. Nagid; i.e. a senior officer entrusted with dual roles of operational oversight and administrative authority
  2. Proverbs 28:16 Lit. will lengthen his days

By justice a king brings stability to a land,(A)
but a person who demands “contributions”[a]
demolishes it.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 29:4 The Hb word for contributions usually refers to offerings in worship.

A king brings stability to a land through justice,
    but a man who takes bribes brings it to ruin.

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12 If a ruler listens to lies,(A)
all his officials will be 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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14 A king who judges the poor with fairness—
his throne will be established forever.(A)

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14 When a king faithfully administers justice to the poor,
    his throne will be established forever.

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26 Many desire a ruler’s favor,(A)
but a person receives justice from the Lord.(B)

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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