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By justice a king 1builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.
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2A man who flatters his neighbor spreads 3a net for his feet.
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An evil man is 4ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man 5sings and rejoices.
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A righteous man 6knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not 7understand such knowledge.
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8Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.
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If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is 9no quiet.
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Bloodthirsty men 10hate one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright.
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A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
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If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.
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The poor man and the oppressor 11meet together; the LORD 12 gives light to the eyes of both.
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If a king 13faithfully judges the poor, his throne will 14be established forever.
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15The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself 16brings shame to his mother.
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When the wicked increase, transgression increases, but 17the righteous will look upon their downfall.
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18Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
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Where 19there is no prophetic vision the people 20cast off restraint, but blessed is he who 21keeps the law.
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By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond.
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Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? 22There is more hope for a fool than for him.
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Whoever pampers his servant from childhood will in the end find him his heir.
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23A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.
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24One's pride will bring him low, 25but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
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The partner of a thief 26hates his own life; 27he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
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28The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.
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Many 29seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the LORD that a man 30gets justice.
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31An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.