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 In a multitude of people is a king’s honor,
But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince.

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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 (A)The king’s favor is toward a wise servant,
But his wrath is against him who causes shame.

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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 Divination is on the lips of the king;
His mouth must not transgress in judgment.

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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.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:15 Lit latter

13 (A)Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And they love him who speaks what is right.
14 As messengers of death is the king’s wrath,
But a wise man will (B)appease it.
15 In the light of the king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a (C)cloud of the latter rain.

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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 (A)The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,
But his favor is (B)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

The [a]wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion;
Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:2 Lit. fear or terror, produced by the king’s wrath

(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 who sits on the throne of judgment
Scatters all evil with his eyes.

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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)A wise king sifts out the wicked,
And brings the threshing wheel over them.

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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 (A)Mercy and truth preserve the king,
And by [a]lovingkindness he upholds his throne.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:28 mercy

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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The Lord Considers the Heart

21 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,
Like the [a]rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:1 channels

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

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Footnotes

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

11 (A)He who loves purity of heart
And has grace on his lips,
The king will be his friend.

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

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29 Do you see a man who [a]excels in his work?
He will stand before kings;
He will not stand before [b]unknown men.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:29 is prompt in his business
  2. Proverbs 22:29 obscure