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, (A)fear the Lord and the king;
Do not associate with those given to change;
22 For their calamity will rise suddenly,
And who knows the ruin those two can bring?

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

(A)It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the heart of kings is unsearchable.

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

(A)Take away the dross from silver,
And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.
Take away the wicked from before the king,
And his throne will be established in (B)righteousness.

Read full chapter

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

Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the place of the great;
(A)For it is better that he say 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

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

Read full chapter

The king establishes the land by justice,
But he who receives bribes overthrows it.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

14 The king who judges the (A)poor with truth,
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

(A)It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to drink wine,
Nor for princes intoxicating drink;
(B)Lest they drink and forget the law,
And pervert the justice of all [a]the afflicted.
(C)Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
And wine to those who are bitter of heart.
Let him drink and forget his poverty,
And remember his misery no more.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:5 Lit. sons of affliction