8:15

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

15a By me kings reign,

15b and rulers enact just laws ;

There is an ellipsis in 8:15b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words. For example:

15b and ⌊by me⌋ rulers enact just laws ;

8:15a

By me kings reign: It is by means of wisdom that kings rule their countries. Other ways to express this relationship are:

It is I who help kings to rule
-or-
I am what kings use in governing their people

Since this line is parallel to “rulers enact just laws,” the idea of reigning “well” or “effectively” is implied.

kings: See the note on 1:1.

8:15b

and rulers enact just laws: The word rulers is a general term that refers to people who exercise leadership in government.

General Comment on 8:15a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts. See the Display for 8:15a–b (combined/reordered).

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