28 A large population is a king’s splendor,
but a shortage of people is a ruler’s devastation.

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28 A king’s glory is a large population,
    but a dwindling people is a ruler’s ruin.

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35 A king favors a prudent servant,(A)
but his anger falls on a disgraceful one.

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35 The king favors an insightful servant,
    but is furious at a shameful one.

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10 God’s verdict is on the lips of a king;[a](A)
his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 16:10 Or A divination is on the lips of a king

10 A king’s speech is like an oracle;
    in a judgment, one can’t go against his words.

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12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings,(A)
since a throne is established through righteousness.(B)

13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight,
and he loves one who speaks honestly.

14 A king’s fury is a messenger of death,
but a wise person appeases it.(C)

15 When a king’s face lights up, there is life;
his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

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12 Kings detest wicked deeds,
    for their thrones are founded on righteousness.
13 Kings favor those with righteous lips;
    they love words of integrity.
14 The king’s anger is a messenger of death;
    the wise will calm him.
15 There’s life in the light of the king’s face.
    His favor is like a cloud that brings spring rain.

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Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips;
how much worse are lies for a ruler.

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Too much talking isn’t right for a fool;
    even less so false speech for an honorable person.

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11 An evil person desires only rebellion;
a cruel messenger[a](A) will be sent against him.

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Footnotes

  1. 17:11 Or a merciless angel

11 Evil people seek only rebellion;
    a cruel messenger will be sent against them.

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

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12 A raging king roars like a lion;
    his favor is like the dew on the grass.

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A king’s terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion;
anyone who provokes him endangers himself.(A)

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A king is as terrifying as a lion’s growl.
    Those who anger him may lose their life.

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A king sitting on a throne to judge
separates out all evil with his eyes.(A)

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A king who sits on his judgment throne
    sifts out all evil with his eyes.

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26 A wise king separates out the wicked(A)
and drives the threshing wheel(B) over them.

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26 A wise king sifts out the wicked,
    and runs them over with a wheel.

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28 Loyalty and faithfulness guard a king;
through loyalty he maintains his throne.

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28 Kindness and faithfulness protect the king;
    he supports his throne by kindness.

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21 A king’s heart is like channeled water in the Lord’s hand:
He directs it wherever he chooses.(A)

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21 The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
    he directs it wherever he wants.

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