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28 In the multitude of people is the glory of the king,
    but without a population, a prince is ruined.

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28 A large population is a king’s glory,
    but a shortage of people is a ruler’s ruin.

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Fine speech[a] is not becoming a fool,
    still less[b] is false speech[c] for a ruler.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:7 Literally “A lip of fineness
  2. Proverbs 17:7 Literally “only for”
  3. Proverbs 17:7 Literally “lip of deceit”

Appropriate speech is inconsistent with the fool;
    how much more are deceitful statements[a] with a prince!

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:7 Lit. lips

Many will seek favor before the generous,
    and everyone is the friend of a man of gifts.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:6 Hebrew “gift”

Many curry favor of an official;
    everyone is a friend of the gift giver.

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23 When you sit to eat with a ruler,
    you shall surely observe what is before you,
and you shall put a knife to your throat
    if you have a big appetite.[a]
Do not desire his delicacies,
    for[b] it is food of deception.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:2 Literally “lord/master of life”
  2. Proverbs 23:3 Hebrew “and”

Things to Avoid in Life

23 Whenever you sit down to dine with a ruler,
carefully think about what is before you.
Put a knife to your own throat,
    if you have a big appetite.[a]
Don’t crave his delicacies,
    because the meal is deceptive.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:2 Lit. a master of an appetite

15 With patience[a] a ruler may be persuaded,
    and a soft tongue will break a bone.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:15 Literally “With length of face”
  2. Proverbs 25:15 Or “strength”

15 Through patience a ruler may be persuaded;
    a gentle word[a] can break a bone.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:15 Lit. tongue

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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When a land transgresses,
    it gains a succession of leaders,
but with an understanding and knowledgeable man,
    its stability endures.

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

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12 When a ruler is listening to lies,
    all of his officials tend to become wicked.

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26 Many are those who seek the favor[a] of a ruler,
    but from Yahweh one obtains justice.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:26 Literally “faces”
  2. Proverbs 29:26 Literally “comes justice for a man”

26 Many seek a ruler’s favor,[a]
    but justice for a man comes from the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:26 Lit. face