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1 A wise judge will instruct his people; and the government of a prudent man is well ordered. 2 As the judge of the people is himself, so are his officers; and what manner of man the ruler of the city is, such are all they that dwell therein. 3 An unwise king destroys his people; but through the prudence of them which are in authority the city shall be inhabited. 4 The power of the earth is in the hand of the Lord, and in due time he will set over it one that is profitable. 5 In the hand of God is the prosperity of man: and upon the person of the scribe shall he lay his honour. 6 Bear not hatred to your neighbour for every wrong; and do nothing at all by injurious practices. 7 Pride is hateful before God and man: and by both does one commit iniquity. 8 Because of unrighteous dealings, injuries, and riches got by deceit, the kingdom is translated from one people to another. 9 Why is earth and ashes proud? There is not a more wicked thing than a covetous man: for such an one sets his own soul to sale; because while he lives he casts away his bowels. 10 The physician cuts off a long disease; and he that is to day a king to morrow shall die. 11 For when a man is dead, he shall inherit creeping things, beasts, and worms. 12 The beginning of pride is when one departs from God, and his heart is turned away from his Maker. 13 For pride is the beginning of sin, and he that has it shall pour out abomination: and therefore the Lord brought upon them strange calamities, and overthrew them utterly. 14 The Lord has cast down the thrones of proud princes, and set up the meek in their stead. 15 The Lord has plucked up the roots of the proud nations, and planted the lowly in their place. 16 The Lord overthrew countries of the heathen, and destroyed them to the foundations of the earth. 17 He took some of them away, and destroyed them, and has made their memorial to cease from the earth. 18 Pride was not made for men, nor furious anger for them that are born of a woman. 19 They that fear the Lord are a sure seed, and they that love him an honourable plant: they that regard not the law are a dishonourable seed; they that transgress the commandments are a deceivable seed. 20 Amongst brethren he that is chief is honourably; so are they that fear the Lord in his eyes. 21 The fear of the Lord goes before the obtaining of authority: but roughness and pride is the losing thereof. 22 Whether he be rich, noble, or poor, their glory is the fear of the Lord. 23 It is not meet to despise the poor man that has understanding; neither is it convenient to magnify a sinful man. 24 Great men, and judges, and potentates, shall be honoured; yet is there none of them greater than he that fears the Lord. 25 To the servant that is wise shall they that are free do service: and he that has knowledge will not grudge when he is reformed. 26 Be not overwise in doing your business; and boast not yourself in the time of your distress. 27 Better is he that labores, and abounds in all things, than he that boasts himself, and lacks bread. 28 My son, glorify your soul in meekness, and give it honour according to the dignity thereof. 29 Who will justify him that sins against his own soul? and who will honour him that dishonours his own life? 30 The poor man is honoured for his skill, and the rich man is honoured for his riches. 31 He that is honoured in poverty, how much more in riches? and he that is dishonourable in riches, how much more in poverty?