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When a land rebels, there are many leaders;
    but a person with understanding brings order.
Poor people who oppress the needy
    are rain that washes away food.
Those who abandon Instruction praise the wicked,
    but those who follow Instruction battle them.

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When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
    but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.

A ruler[a] who oppresses the poor
    is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
    but those who heed it resist them.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:3 Or A poor person

For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

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