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28 The glory of a king is a multitude of people;
    without people a prince is ruined.

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35 A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor,
    but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.(A)

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10 Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king;
    his mouth does not sin in judgment.

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12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
    for the throne is established by righteousness.(A)
13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
    and he loves those who speak what is right.(B)
14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
    and whoever is wise will appease it.(C)
15 In the light of a king’s face there is life,
    and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.(D)

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Excess speech is not becoming to a fool;
    still less is false speech to a ruler.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 17.7 Or a noble

11 Evil people seek only rebellion,
    but a cruel messenger will be sent against them.

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12 A king’s anger is like the growling of a lion,
    but his favor is like dew on the grass.(A)

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The dread anger of a king is like the growling of a lion;
    anyone who provokes him to anger forfeits life itself.(A)

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A king who sits on the throne of judgment
    winnows all evil with his eyes.

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26 A wise king winnows the wicked
    and drives the wheel over them.

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28 Loyalty and faithfulness preserve the king,
    and his throne is upheld by righteousness.[a](A)

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Footnotes

  1. 20.28 Gk: Heb loyalty

21 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
    he turns it wherever he will.

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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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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

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

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

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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

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

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12 If a ruler listens to falsehood,
    all his officials 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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26 Many seek the favor of a ruler,
    but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.(A)

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