29 Do you see a person skilled in his work?
He will (A)stand before kings;
He will not stand before obscure people.

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29 Do you see people who work skillfully?
    They will work for kings
        but not work for lowly people.

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A (A)wise man is [a]strong,
And a person of knowledge [b]increases power.
For (B)by wise guidance you will [c]wage war,
And (C)in an abundance of counselors there is victory.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:5 Lit in strength
  2. Proverbs 24:5 Lit strengthens power
  3. Proverbs 24:6 Lit make battle for yourself

A wise person is mightier than a strong one;[a]
    a knowledgeable person than a powerful one.
You should make war with guidance;
    victory comes with many counselors.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:5 LXX; MT A wise man is strong.

27 Prepare your work outside,
And (A)make it ready for yourself in the field;
Afterward, then, build your house.

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27 Get your outside work done;
    make preparations in the field;
    then you can build your house.

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Take away the [a](A)impurities from the silver,
And there comes out a vessel for the (B)smith;
Take away the (C)wicked before the king,
And his (D)throne will be established in righteousness.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:4 Lit dross

Remove the dross from the silver,
    and a vessel will come out for the refiner.
Remove the wicked from the king’s presence,
    and his throne will be established in righteousness.

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

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:15 Lit length of anger

15 A commander can be persuaded with patience,
    and a tender tongue can break a bone.

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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 king gives stability to the land by justice,
    but one who imposes heavy taxes tears it down.

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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 honestly,
    his throne will be established forever.

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