Saying 6

29 Do you see someone skilled(A) in their work?
    They will serve(B) before kings;(C)
    they will not serve before officials of low rank.

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29 Do you see those who are skillful in their work?
    They will serve kings;
    they will not serve common people.(A)

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Saying 22

The wise prevail through great power,
    and those who have knowledge muster their strength.
Surely you need guidance to wage war,
    and victory is won through many advisers.(A)

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Wise warriors are mightier than strong ones[a]
    and those who have knowledge than those who have strength,(A)
for by wise guidance you can wage your war,
    and in abundance of counselors there is victory.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 24.5 Gk Compare Syr Tg: Heb A wise man is strength

27 Put your outdoor work in order
    and get your fields ready;
    after that, build your house.

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27 Prepare your work outside;
    get everything ready for you in the field;
    and after that build your house.

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Remove the dross from the silver,
    and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,(A)
    and his throne will be established(B) through righteousness.(C)

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Take away the dross from the silver,
    and the smith has material for a vessel;(A)
take away the wicked from the presence of the king,
    and his throne will be established in righteousness.(B)

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

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15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
    and a soft tongue can break bones.(A)

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By justice a king gives a country stability,(A)
    but those who are greedy for[a] bribes tear it down.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:4 Or who give

By justice a king gives stability to the land,
    but one who makes heavy exactions ruins it.

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14 If a king judges the poor with fairness,
    his throne will be established forever.(A)

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14 If a king judges the poor with equity,
    his throne will be established forever.(A)

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