28 In a multitude of people is a king’s glory,
But in the scarcity of people is a prince’s ruin.

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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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[a](A)Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool,
Much less are (B)lying lips to a prince.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:7 Lit A lip of abundance

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

(A)Many will seek the favor of a [a]generous person,
And every person is a friend to (B)him who gives gifts.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:6 Or noble

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

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On Life and Conduct

23 When you sit down to dine with a ruler,
Consider carefully [a]what is before you,
And put a knife to your throat
If you are a (A)person of great appetite.
Do not (B)desire his delicacies,
For it is deceptive food.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:1 Or who

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 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 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

Due to a [a]wrongdoing of [b]a land its leaders are (A)many,
But (B)by a person of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:2 Or rebellion
  2. Proverbs 28:2 I.e., the people of a land

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 If a (A)ruler pays attention to falsehood,
All his ministers become 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 (A)Many seek the ruler’s [a]favor,
But (B)justice for mankind comes from the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:26 Lit face

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