Proverbs 22:11
International Standard Version
11 Whoever loves purity[a] and gracious speech
will gain the king as his friend.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 22:11 Lit. purity of heart
Proverbs 22:11
King James Version
11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
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Proverbs 23:1-3
International Standard Version
Things to Avoid in Life
23 Whenever you sit down to dine with a ruler,
carefully think about what is before you.
2 Put a knife to your own throat,
if you have a big appetite.[a]
3 Don’t crave his delicacies,
because the meal is deceptive.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 23:2 Lit. a master of an appetite
Proverbs 23:1-3
King James Version
23 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:
2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
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Proverbs 24:21-22
International Standard Version
21 My son, fear both the Lord and the king,
and don’t keep company with rebels.
22 They will be destroyed suddenly,
and who knows what kind of punishment will come from these two?
Proverbs 24:21-22
King James Version
21 My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
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Proverbs 25:2-7
International Standard Version
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
and the glory of kings to investigate a matter.
3 Just as the heavens are high
and earth is deep,
so the heart of a king is unfathomable.
4 Purge the dross from the silver,
and material for[a] a vessel comes forth for the silversmith.
5 Purge the wicked from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Don’t magnify yourself in the presence of a king,
and don’t pretend to be in the company of famous men,
7 for it is better that it be told you, “Come up here,”
than for you to be placed lower
in the presence of an official.
What you’ve seen with your own eyes,
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:4 The Heb. lacks material for
Proverbs 25:2-7
King James Version
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
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Proverbs 25:15
International Standard Version
15 Through patience a ruler may be persuaded;
a gentle word[a] can break a bone.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:15 Lit. tongue
Proverbs 25:15
King James Version
15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
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Proverbs 28:2-3
International Standard Version
2 When a land transgresses,
it gains a succession of leaders,
but with an understanding and knowledgeable man,
its stability endures.
3 A poor man who oppresses the weak
is like a rainstorm that destroys all[a] the crops.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:3 Lit. that leaves no
Proverbs 28:2-3
King James Version
2 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.
3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
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Proverbs 28:15-16
International Standard Version
15 A roaring lion and a charging bear—
that’s what a wicked tyrant is over poor people.
16 A Commander-in-Chief[a] who is a cruel oppressor lacks understanding,
but whoever hates unjust gain will live longer.[b]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:16 Lit. Nagid; i.e. a senior officer entrusted with dual roles of operational oversight and administrative authority
- Proverbs 28:16 Lit. will lengthen his days
Proverbs 28:15-16
King James Version
15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
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Proverbs 29:4
International Standard Version
4 A king brings stability to a land through justice,
but a man who takes bribes brings it to ruin.
Proverbs 29:4
King James Version
4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
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Proverbs 29:12
International Standard Version
12 When a ruler is listening to lies,
all of his officials tend to become wicked.
Proverbs 29:12
King James Version
12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
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Proverbs 29:14
International Standard Version
14 When a king faithfully administers justice to the poor,
his throne will be established forever.
Proverbs 29:14
King James Version
14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
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Proverbs 29:26
International Standard Version
26 Many seek a ruler’s favor,[a]
but justice for a man comes from the Lord.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:26 Lit. face
Proverbs 29:26
King James Version
26 Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the Lord.
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