Add parallel Print Page Options

21 My son, fear Yahweh and the king.
    Don’t join those who are rebellious;
22 for their calamity will rise suddenly.
    Who knows what destruction may come from them both?

Read full chapter

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?

Read full chapter

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing,
    but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
    so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

Read full chapter

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
    and the glory of kings to investigate a matter.
Just as the heavens are high
    and earth is deep,
        so the heart of a king is unfathomable.

Read full chapter

Take away the dross from the silver,
    and material comes out for the refiner;
Take away the wicked from the king’s presence,
    and his throne will be established in righteousness.

Read full chapter

Purge the dross from the silver,
    and material for[a] a vessel comes forth for the silversmith.
Purge the wicked from the king’s presence,
    and his throne will be established in righteousness.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:4 The Heb. lacks material for

Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
    or claim a place among great men;
for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
    than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
    whom your eyes have seen.

Read full chapter

Don’t magnify yourself in the presence of a king,
    and don’t pretend to be in the company of famous men,
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,

Read full chapter

The king by justice makes the land stable,
    but he who takes bribes tears it down.

Read full chapter

A king brings stability to a land through justice,
    but a man who takes bribes brings it to ruin.

Read full chapter

14 The king who fairly judges the poor,
    his throne shall be established forever.

Read full chapter

14 When a king faithfully administers justice to the poor,
    his throne will be established forever.

Read full chapter

It is not for kings, Lemuel,
    it is not for kings to drink wine,
    nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
lest they drink, and forget the law,
    and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish,
    and wine to the bitter in soul.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
    and remember his misery no more.

Read full chapter

It is not for kings, Lemuel—
    Not for kings to drink wine
        or for rulers to desire liquor.
Otherwise, they may drink and forget what has been ordained,
    perverting justice for all the oppressed.

Give liquor to someone who is perishing,
    and wine to someone who is deeply depressed.[a]
Let him drink, forget his poverty,
    and remember his troubles no more.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:6 Lit. one whose soul is bitter