28 In a multitude of people is a king’s glory,
But in the scarcity of people is a prince’s ruin.

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

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35 The king’s favor is toward a (A)servant who acts wisely,
But his anger is toward him who acts shamefully.

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35 The king approves the wise servant,
    but he is angry at anyone who acts shamefully.

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10 A divine (A)verdict is on the lips of the king;
His mouth should not [a]err in judgment.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:10 Lit be unfaithful

10 When a king is ready to speak officially,[a]
    what he says should not err with respect to justice.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:10 Lit. king speaks an oracle

12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts,
Because a (A)throne is established on righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And one who speaks right is loved.
14 The fury of a king is like messengers of death;
But a wise person will appease it.
15 In the light of a king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud with the [a](B)spring rain.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:15 Lit latter

12 Kings detest wrongdoing,
    for through righteousness the throne is established.
13 Kings take pleasure in righteous speech;
    they treasure a person who speaks what is upright.
14 The king’s wrath results in a death sentence,
    but whoever is wise will appease him.
15 When a king is pleased,[a] there is life,
    and his favor is like a cloud that brings spring rain.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:15 Lit. a king’s face lightens

[a](A)Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool,
Much less are (B)lying lips to a prince.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:7 Lit A lip of abundance

Appropriate speech is inconsistent with the fool;
    how much more are deceitful statements[a] with a prince!

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:7 Lit. lips

11 A rebellious person seeks only evil,
So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

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11 A rebellious person seeks evil;
    a cruel emissary will be sent to oppose him.

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

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12 The king’s anger is like the roaring of a lion,
    but his goodwill is like dew on the grass.

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The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion;
One who provokes him to anger [a](A)forfeits his own life.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:2 Lit sins against

A king’s anger is like a lion’s roar;
    anyone who angers him forfeits his life.

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(A)A king who sits on the throne of justice
[a]Disperses all evil with his eyes.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:8 Or Sifts

A king sits on a throne of justice,
    sifting out all sorts of evil with his glance.

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26 A (A)wise king scatters the wicked,
And [a]drives a (B)threshing wheel over them.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:26 Lit turns

26 A wise king sifts the wicked,
    crushing them with the threshing wheel.

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28 [a]Loyalty and (A)truth watch over the king,
And he upholds his throne by [b]loyalty.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:28 I.e., covenant loyalty
  2. Proverbs 20:28 I.e., covenant loyalty

28 Gracious love and truth preserve a king;
    through love his throne is made secure.

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On Life and Conduct

21 The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
He (A)turns it wherever He pleases.

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Thoughts on the Sovereignty of God

21 A king’s heart is a water stream that the Lord controls;
he directs it wherever he pleases.

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