Add parallel Print Page Options

28 A large population is an honor for a king,
but without people a ruler is ruined.

Read full chapter

28 A large population is a king’s glory,
    but without subjects a prince is ruined.(A)

Read full chapter

35 A king is delighted with a servant who acts wisely,
but he is furious with one who acts shamefully.

Read full chapter

35 A king delights in a wise servant,
    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(A)

Read full chapter

10 When a divine revelation is on a king’s lips,
he cannot voice a wrong judgment.

Read full chapter

10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
    and his mouth does not betray justice.(A)

Read full chapter

12 Wrongdoing is disgusting to kings
because a throne is established through righteousness.
13 Kings are happy with honest words,
and whoever speaks what is right is loved.
14 A king’s anger announces death,
but a wise man makes peace with him.
15 When the king is cheerful, there is life,
and his favor is like a cloud bringing spring rain.

Read full chapter

12 Kings detest wrongdoing,
    for a throne is established through righteousness.(A)

13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
    they value the one who speaks what is right.(B)

14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,(C)
    but the wise will appease it.(D)

15 When a king’s face brightens, it means life;(E)
    his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.(F)

Read full chapter

The Consequences of Being a Fool

Refined speech is not fitting for a godless fool.
How much less does lying fit a noble person!

Read full chapter

Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—
    how much worse lying lips to a ruler!(A)

Read full chapter

11 A rebel looks for nothing but evil.
Therefore, a cruel messenger will be sent ⌞to punish⌟ him.

Read full chapter

11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God;
    the messenger of death will be sent against them.

Read full chapter

12 The rage of a king is like the roar of a lion,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.

Read full chapter

12 A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion,(A)
    but his favor is like dew(B) on the grass.(C)

Read full chapter

The rage of a king is like the roar of a lion.
Whoever makes him angry forfeits his life.

Read full chapter

A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;(A)
    those who anger him forfeit their lives.(B)

Read full chapter

A king who sits on his throne to judge sifts out every evil with his eyes.

Read full chapter

When a king sits on his throne to judge,(A)
    he winnows out all evil with his eyes.(B)

Read full chapter

26 A wise king scatters the wicked
and then runs them over.

Read full chapter

26 A wise king winnows out the wicked;
    he drives the threshing wheel over them.(A)

Read full chapter

28 Mercy and truth protect a king,
and with mercy he maintains his throne.

Read full chapter

28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
    through love(A) his throne is made secure.(B)

Read full chapter

The Lord Controls Wise and Foolish People

21 The king’s heart is like streams of water.
Both are under the Lord’s control.
He turns them in any direction he chooses.

Read full chapter

21 In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water
    that he channels toward all who please him.(A)

Read full chapter

11 Whoever loves a pure heart and whoever speaks graciously
has a king as his friend.

Read full chapter

11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace
    will have the king for a friend.(A)

Read full chapter