Proverbs 22:11
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
11 Those who love a pure heart and are gracious in speech
will have the king as a friend.(A)
Proverbs 22:11
Common English Bible
11 Those who love a pure heart—
their speech is gracious, and the king is their friend.
Proverbs 23:1-3
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Proverbs 23:1-3
Common English Bible
23 When you sit down to dine with a ruler,
carefully consider what is in front of you.
2 Place a knife at your throat
to control your appetite.
3 Don’t long for the ruler’s delicacies;
the food misleads.
Proverbs 24:21-22
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
21 My child, fear the Lord and the king,
and do not disobey either of them,[a](A)
22 for disaster comes from them suddenly,
and who knows the ruin that both can bring?
Footnotes
- 24.21 Gk: Heb do not associate with those who change
Proverbs 24:21-22
Common English Bible
21 Fear the Lord, my child, as well as the king.
Don’t associate with those who are rebellious.
22 Disaster comes suddenly from them.
Who can know the ruin that both can bring?
Proverbs 25:2-7
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
2 It is the glory of God to conceal things,
but the glory of kings is to search things out.(A)
3 Like the heavens for height, like the earth for depth,
so the mind of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver,
and the smith has material for a vessel;(B)
5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.(C)
6 Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence
or stand in the place of the great,
7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.
What your eyes have seen(D)
Proverbs 25:2-7
Common English Bible
2 It is the glory of God to hide something
and the glory of kings to discover something.
3 Like the high heavens and the depths of the earth,
so the mind of a king is unsearchable.
4 Remove the dross from the silver,
and a vessel will come out for the refiner.
5 Remove the wicked from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
or stand in the place of important people,
7 because it is better that he say to you,
“Come up here,”
than to be demoted before a ruler.
What your eyes see,
Proverbs 25:15
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
and a soft tongue can break bones.(A)
Proverbs 25:15
Common English Bible
15 A commander can be persuaded with patience,
and a tender tongue can break a bone.
Proverbs 28:2-3
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
2 When a land rebels
it has many rulers;
but with an intelligent[a] person, honesty endures.(A)
3 A poor person who oppresses the poor
is a beating rain that leaves no food.(B)
Footnotes
- 28.2 Heb intelligent knowledgeable
Proverbs 28:2-3
Common English Bible
2 When a land rebels, there are many leaders;
but a person with understanding brings order.
3 Poor people who oppress the needy
are rain that washes away food.
Proverbs 28:15-16
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
is a wicked ruler over a poor people.(A)
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
but one who hates unjust gain will enjoy a long life.
Proverbs 28:15-16
Common English Bible
15 A wicked ruler over the poor
is like a growling lion or a prowling bear.
16 A prince without understanding is a cruel oppressor,
but one who hates unjust gain will live long.
Proverbs 29:4
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
4 By justice a king gives stability to the land,
but one who makes heavy exactions ruins it.
Proverbs 29:4
Common English Bible
4 A king gives stability to the land by justice,
but one who imposes heavy taxes tears it down.
Proverbs 29:12
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
12 If a ruler listens to falsehood,
all his officials will be wicked.
Proverbs 29:12
Common English Bible
12 If a ruler listens to lies,
those who serve him will be wicked.
Proverbs 29:14
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
14 If a king judges the poor with equity,
his throne will be established forever.(A)
Proverbs 29:14
Common English Bible
14 If a king judges the poor honestly,
his throne will be established forever.
Proverbs 29:26
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
26 Many seek the favor of a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.(A)
Proverbs 29:26
Common English Bible
26 Many seek access to the ruler,
but justice comes from the Lord.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible