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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:10 Lit be unfaithful

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

Read full chapter

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](A)spring rain.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:15 Lit latter

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.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:2 Lit sins against

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:8 Or Sifts

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:26 Lit turns

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

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

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

Read full chapter

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.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

11 One who loves (A)purity of heart
And [a]whose speech is (B)gracious, the king is his friend.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:11 Lit has grace on his lips

11 Those who love a pure heart—
    their speech is gracious, and the king is their friend.

Read full chapter

29 Do you see a person skilled in his work?
He will (A)stand before kings;
He will not stand before obscure people.

Read full chapter

29 Do you see people who work skillfully?
    They will work for kings
        but not work for lowly people.

Read full chapter