Proverbs 22:11
International Standard Version
11 Whoever loves purity[a] and gracious speech
will gain the king as his friend.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 22:11 Lit. purity of heart
Proverbs 22:11
Lexham English Bible
11 He who loves purity of heart
and hasgracious speech,[a] his friend is the king.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 22:11 Literally “grace of his lips”
Proverbs 23:1-3
International Standard Version
Things to Avoid in Life
23 Whenever you sit down to dine with a ruler,
carefully think about what is before you.
2 Put a knife to your own throat,
if you have a big appetite.[a]
3 Don’t crave his delicacies,
because the meal is deceptive.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 23:2 Lit. a master of an appetite
Proverbs 23:1-3
Lexham English Bible
23 When you sit to eat with a ruler,
you shall surely observe what is before you,
2 and you shall put a knife to your throat
if you have a big appetite.[a]
3 Do not desire his delicacies,
for[b] it is food of deception.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 23:2 Literally “lord/master of life”
- Proverbs 23:3 Hebrew “and”
Proverbs 24:21-22
International Standard Version
21 My son, fear both the Lord and the king,
and don’t keep company with rebels.
22 They will be destroyed suddenly,
and who knows what kind of punishment will come from these two?
Proverbs 24:21-22
Lexham English Bible
21 Fear Yahweh, my son, and the king;
with those who change, do not associate.
22 For suddenly their disaster will come,
and the ruin of both of them,[a] who knows?
Footnotes
- Proverbs 24:22 Literally “the two of them”
Proverbs 25:2-7
International Standard Version
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
and the glory of kings to investigate a matter.
3 Just as the heavens are high
and earth is deep,
so the heart of a king is unfathomable.
4 Purge the dross from the silver,
and material for[a] a vessel comes forth for the silversmith.
5 Purge the wicked from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Don’t magnify yourself in the presence of a king,
and don’t pretend to be in the company of famous men,
7 for it is better that it be told you, “Come up here,”
than for you to be placed lower
in the presence of an official.
What you’ve seen with your own eyes,
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:4 The Heb. lacks material for
Proverbs 25:2-7
Lexham English Bible
2 The glory of God[a] conceals things,
but the glory of kings searches out things.
3 As heaven is to height and the earth is to depth,
so is the heart[b] of kings—there is no searching.
4 Remove the dross from silver,
and it will become a vessel for the smith.
5 Remove the wicked before a king,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.[c]
6 Do not promote yourself before the king,
and in the place of the great ones do not stand.
7 For it is better that he say to you, “Ascend here,”
than he humble you before a noble.
What your eyes have seen,
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:2 Or “gods”
- Proverbs 25:3 Or “mind”
- Proverbs 25:5 Hebrew “in the righteousness”
Proverbs 25:15
International Standard Version
15 Through patience a ruler may be persuaded;
a gentle word[a] can break a bone.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:15 Lit. tongue
Proverbs 25:15
Lexham English Bible
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:15 Literally “With length of face”
- Proverbs 25:15 Or “strength”
Proverbs 28:2-3
International Standard Version
2 When a land transgresses,
it gains a succession of leaders,
but with an understanding and knowledgeable man,
its stability endures.
3 A poor man who oppresses the weak
is like a rainstorm that destroys all[a] the crops.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:3 Lit. that leaves no
Proverbs 28:2-3
Lexham English Bible
2 By the rebellion of a land, her rulers increase,
but by a person of intelligence who knows justice, it will last.
3 A man who is poor and oppresses the impoverished
is a beating rain that leaves[a] no food.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:3 Literally “and there is”
Proverbs 28:15-16
International Standard Version
15 A roaring lion and a charging bear—
that’s what a wicked tyrant is over poor people.
16 A Commander-in-Chief[a] who is a cruel oppressor lacks understanding,
but whoever hates unjust gain will live longer.[b]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:16 Lit. Nagid; i.e. a senior officer entrusted with dual roles of operational oversight and administrative authority
- Proverbs 28:16 Lit. will lengthen his days
Proverbs 28:15-16
Lexham English Bible
15 Like a roaring lion and a charging bear
is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is[a] a cruel oppressor,
but those who hate unjust gain will have long[b] days.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:16 Hebrew “and”
- Proverbs 28:16 Or “prolong”
Proverbs 29:4
International Standard Version
4 A king brings stability to a land through justice,
but a man who takes bribes brings it to ruin.
Proverbs 29:4
Lexham English Bible
4 By justice a king gives stability to a land,
but a man of bribes will ruin it.
Proverbs 29:12
International Standard Version
12 When a ruler is listening to lies,
all of his officials tend to become wicked.
Proverbs 29:12
Lexham English Bible
12 A ruler listening to a word of falsehood,
all his officials are wicked.
Proverbs 29:14
International Standard Version
14 When a king faithfully administers justice to the poor,
his throne will be established forever.
Proverbs 29:14
Lexham English Bible
14 A king who judges with truthfulness to the poor,
his throne will be established forever.
Proverbs 29:26
International Standard Version
26 Many seek a ruler’s favor,[a]
but justice for a man comes from the Lord.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:26 Lit. face
Proverbs 29:26
Lexham English Bible
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:26 Literally “faces”
- Proverbs 29:26 Literally “comes justice for a man”
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