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

Read full chapter

28 The glory of a king is a multitude of people;
    without people a prince is ruined.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

35 A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor,
    but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.(A)

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

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

10 Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king;
    his mouth does not sin in judgment.

Read full chapter

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.(A)

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

Read full chapter

13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
    and he loves those who speak what is right.(A)
14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
    and whoever is wise will appease it.(B)
15 In the light of a king’s face there is life,
    and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.(C)

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

The dread anger of a king is like the growling of a lion;
    anyone who provokes him to anger forfeits life itself.(A)

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

A king who sits on the throne of judgment
    winnows all evil with his eyes.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

26 A wise king winnows the wicked
    and drives the wheel over them.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

28 Loyalty and faithfulness preserve the king,
    and his throne is upheld by righteousness.[a](A)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 20.28 Gk: Heb loyalty

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

Read full chapter

21 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
    he turns it wherever he will.

Read full chapter

11 The one who loves a pure heart
and gracious lips—the king is his friend.(A)

Read full chapter

11 Those who love a pure heart and are gracious in speech
    will have the king as a friend.(A)

Read full chapter

29 Do you see a person skilled in his work?
He will stand in the presence of kings.
He will not stand in the presence of the unknown.(A)

Read full chapter

29 Do you see those who are skillful in their work?
    They will serve kings;
    they will not serve common people.(A)

Read full chapter