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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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23 When you sit down to eat with an official,
    observe carefully what[a] is before you,
and put a knife to your throat
    if you have a big appetite.
Do not desire an official’s[b] delicacies,
    for they are deceptive food.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 23.1 Or who
  2. 23.3 Heb his

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 child, fear the Lord and the king,
    and do not disobey either of them,[a](A)
22 for disaster comes from them suddenly,
    and who knows the ruin that both can bring?

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Footnotes

  1. 24.21 Gk: Heb do not associate with those 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 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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15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
    and a soft tongue can break bones.(A)

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

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When a land rebels
    it has many rulers;
but with an intelligent[a] person, honesty endures.(A)
A poor person who oppresses the poor
    is a beating rain that leaves no food.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 28.2 Heb intelligent knowledgeable

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 roaring lion or a charging bear
    is a wicked ruler over a poor people.(A)
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
    but one who hates unjust gain will enjoy a long life.

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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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By justice a king gives stability to the land,
    but one who makes heavy exactions 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 ruler listens to falsehood,
    all his officials will be 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 king judges the poor with equity,
    his throne will be established forever.(A)

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

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26 Many seek the favor of a ruler,
    but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.(A)

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

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