Proverbs 22:11
New Living Translation
11 Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech
will have the king as a friend.
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 23:1-3
New Living Translation
23 While dining with a ruler,
pay attention to what is put before you.
2 If you are a big eater,
put a knife to your throat;
3 don’t desire all the delicacies,
for he might be trying to trick you.
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 24:21-22
New Living Translation
21 My child, fear the Lord and the king.
Don’t associate with rebels,
22 for disaster will hit them suddenly.
Who knows what punishment will come
from the Lord and the king?
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 25:2-7
New Living Translation
2 It is God’s privilege to conceal things
and the king’s privilege to discover them.
3 No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth,
or all that goes on in the king’s mind!
4 Remove the impurities from silver,
and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.
5 Remove the wicked from the king’s court,
and his reign will be made secure by justice.
6 Don’t demand an audience with the king
or push for a place among the great.
7 It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table
than to be sent away in public disgrace.
Just because you’ve seen something,
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 25:15
New Living Translation
15 Patience can persuade a prince,
and soft speech can break bones.
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 28:2-3
New Living Translation
2 When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.
But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.
3 A poor person who oppresses the poor
is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.
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 28:15-16
New Living Translation
15 A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor
as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.
16 A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people,
but one who hates corruption will have a long life.
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 29:4
New Living Translation
4 A just king gives stability to his nation,
but one who demands bribes destroys it.
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 29:12
New Living Translation
12 If a ruler pays attention to liars,
all his advisers will be wicked.
Proverbs 29:12
International Standard Version
12 When a ruler is listening to lies,
all of his officials tend to become wicked.
Proverbs 29:14
New Living Translation
14 If a king judges the poor fairly,
his throne will last forever.
Proverbs 29:14
International Standard Version
14 When a king faithfully administers justice to the poor,
his throne will be established forever.
Proverbs 29:26
New Living Translation
26 Many seek the ruler’s favor,
but justice comes from the Lord.
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
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.
