11 One who loves (A)purity of heart
And [a]whose speech is (B)gracious, the king is his friend.

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Notas al pie

  1. Proverbs 22:11 Lit has grace on his lips

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

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On Life and Conduct

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

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Notas al pie

  1. Proverbs 23:1 Or who

23 While dining with a ruler,
    pay attention to what is put before you.
If you are a big eater,
    put a knife to your throat;
don’t desire all the delicacies,
    for he might be trying to trick you.

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21 My son, [a](A)fear the Lord and the king;
Do not get involved with those [b]of high rank,
22 For their (B)disaster will rise suddenly,
And who knows the ruin that can come from both of them?

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Notas al pie

  1. Proverbs 24:21 Or revere
  2. Proverbs 24:21 Or who change

21 My child, fear the Lord and the king.
Don’t associate with rebels,
22     for disaster will hit them suddenly.
Who knows what punishment will come
    from the Lord and the king?

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It is the glory of God to (A)conceal a matter,
But the glory of (B)kings is to search out a matter.
As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
Take away the [a](C)impurities from the silver,
And there comes out a vessel for the (D)smith;
Take away the (E)wicked before the king,
And his (F)throne will be established in righteousness.
Do not boast in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the same place [b]as great people;
For (G)it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.

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Notas al pie

  1. Proverbs 25:4 Lit dross
  2. Proverbs 25:6 Lit of

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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15 Through [a](A)patience a ruler may be persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks bone.

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Notas al pie

  1. Proverbs 25:15 Lit length of anger

15 Patience can persuade a prince,
    and soft speech can break bones.

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Due to a [a]wrongdoing of [b]a land its leaders are (A)many,
But (B)by a person of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.
A (C)poor man who oppresses the helpless
Is like a driving rain [c]which leaves no food.

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Notas al pie

  1. Proverbs 28:2 Or rebellion
  2. Proverbs 28:2 I.e., the people of a land
  3. Proverbs 28:3 Lit and there is no bread

When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.
    But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.

A poor person who oppresses the poor
    is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.

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15 Like a (A)roaring lion and a rushing bear
Is a (B)wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A (C)leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding,
But a person who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

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15 A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor
    as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.

16 A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people,
    but one who hates corruption will have a long life.

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The (A)king gives stability to the land by justice,
But a person who takes bribes ruins it.

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A just king gives stability to his nation,
    but one who demands bribes destroys it.

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

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12 If a ruler pays attention to liars,
    all his advisers will be wicked.

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14 If a (A)king judges the poor with truth,
His (B)throne will be established forever.

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14 If a king judges the poor fairly,
    his throne will last forever.

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

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Notas al pie

  1. Proverbs 29:26 Lit face

26 Many seek the ruler’s favor,
    but justice comes from the Lord.

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