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

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When a land transgresses, (A)it has many rulers,
    but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
    its stability will long continue.

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

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Footnotes

  1. 28:12 Lit glory

12 When (A)the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
    but when (B)the wicked rise, people hide themselves.

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

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Footnotes

  1. 28:17 Lit the blood of a person

15 Like (A)a roaring lion or (B)a charging bear
    is (C)a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler who (D)lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
    but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 If one is burdened with (E)the blood of another,
    he will be a fugitive until death;[a]
    let no one help him.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:17 Hebrew until the pit

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

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28 When (A)the wicked rise, (B)people hide themselves,
    but when they perish, the righteous increase.

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

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

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

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Footnotes

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

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

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

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12 If a ruler listens to falsehood,
    all his officials will be 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 If a king (A)faithfully judges the poor,
    his throne will (B)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 When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
    but (A)the righteous will look upon their downfall.

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

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Footnotes

  1. 29:18 Lit vision

18 Where (A)there is no prophetic vision the people (B)cast off restraint,[a]
    but blessed is he who (C)keeps the law.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:18 Or the people are discouraged