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

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

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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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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

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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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

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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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

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

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

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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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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

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

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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.

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

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12 If a ruler listens to lies,(A)
all his officials will be wicked.

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

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14 A king who judges the poor with fairness—
his throne will be established forever.(A)

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

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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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