29 Do you see a man skillful in his work?
    He will (A)stand before kings;
    he will not stand before obscure men.

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29 Do you see any truly competent workers?
    They will serve kings
    rather than working for ordinary people.

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(A)A wise man is full of strength,
    and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
for by (B)wise guidance you can wage your war,
    and in (C)abundance of counselors there is victory.

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The wise are mightier than the strong,[a]
    and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.
So don’t go to war without wise guidance;
    victory depends on having many advisers.

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Footnotes

  1. 24:5 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads A wise man is strength.

27 (A)Prepare your work outside;
    get everything ready for yourself in the field,
    and after that build your house.

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27 Do your planning and prepare your fields
    before building your house.

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

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Remove the impurities from silver,
    and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.
Remove the wicked from the king’s court,
    and his reign will be made secure by justice.

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

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15 Patience can persuade a prince,
    and soft speech can break bones.

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By justice a king (A)builds up the land,
    but he who exacts gifts[a] tears it down.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:4 Or who taxes heavily

A just king gives stability to his nation,
    but one who demands bribes destroys it.

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

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14 If a king judges the poor fairly,
    his throne will last forever.

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