When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers,(A)
but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.

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By the rebellion of a land, her rulers increase,
    but by a person of intelligence who knows justice, it will last.

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12 When the righteous triumph,
there is great rejoicing,[a]
but when the wicked come to power,
people hide themselves.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:12 Lit glory

12 When the righteous triumphs, great is the glory,
    but with the rising of the wicked, a person will be hidden.

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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)

17 A man burdened by bloodguilt[a]
will be a fugitive until death.(D)
Let no one help him.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:17 Lit the blood of a person

15 Like a roaring lion and a charging bear
    is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is[a] a cruel oppressor,
    but those who hate unjust gain will have long[b] days.
17 A person who is burdened with the blood of another,[c]
    until death he will flee;
    do not take hold of him.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:16 Hebrew “and”
  2. Proverbs 28:16 Or “prolong”
  3. Proverbs 28:17 Literally “life”

28 When the wicked come to power,
people hide,
but when they are destroyed,
the righteous flourish.(A)

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28 With the rising of the wicked, humankind will be hidden,
    and with their perishing, the righteous will multiply.

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When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, people groan.(A)

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When the righteous are numerous, the people will rejoice,
    but when the wicked are ruling, people will groan.

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By justice a king brings stability to a land,(A)
but a man who demands “contributions”[a]
demolishes it.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:4 The Hb word for “contributions” usually refers to offerings in worship.

By justice a king gives stability to a land,
    but a man of bribes will ruin it.

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

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12 A ruler listening to a word of falsehood,
    all his officials are wicked.

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

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14 A king who judges with truthfulness to the poor,
    his throne will be established forever.

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16 When the wicked increase, rebellion increases,
but the righteous will see their downfall.(A)

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16 With the increase of the wicked, transgression will increase,
    but the righteous will look on his downfall.

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18 Without revelation[a](A) people run wild,(B)
but one who listens to instruction will be happy.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:18 Lit vision

18 When there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint,
    but as for he who guards instruction, happiness is his.

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