28 A large population is a king’s splendor,
but a shortage of people is a ruler’s devastation.

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28 In a multitude of people is a king’s glory,
But in the scarcity of people is a prince’s ruin.

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35 A king favors a prudent servant,(A)
but his anger falls on a disgraceful one.

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35 The king’s favor is toward a (A)servant who acts wisely,
But his anger is toward him who acts shamefully.

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10 God’s verdict is on the lips of a king;[a](A)
his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 16:10 Or A divination is on the lips of a king

10 A divine (A)verdict is on the lips of the king;
His mouth should not [a]err in judgment.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:10 Lit be unfaithful

12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings,(A)
since a throne is established through righteousness.(B)

13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight,
and he loves one who speaks honestly.

14 A king’s fury is a messenger of death,
but a wise person appeases it.(C)

15 When a king’s face lights up, there is life;
his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

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12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts,
Because a (A)throne is established on righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And one who speaks right is loved.
14 The fury of a king is like messengers of death;
But a wise person will appease it.
15 In the light of a king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud with the [a](B)spring rain.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:15 Lit latter

Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips;
how much worse are lies for a ruler.

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[a](A)Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool,
Much less are (B)lying lips to a prince.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:7 Lit A lip of abundance

11 An evil person desires only rebellion;
a cruel messenger[a](A) will be sent against him.

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Footnotes

  1. 17:11 Or a merciless angel

11 A rebellious person seeks only evil,
So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

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12 A king’s rage is like the roaring of a lion,(A)
but his favor is like dew on the grass.(B)

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12 A (A)king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,
But his favor is like (B)dew on the grass.

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A king’s terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion;
anyone who provokes him endangers himself.(A)

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The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion;
One who provokes him to anger [a](A)forfeits his own life.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:2 Lit sins against

A king sitting on a throne to judge
separates out all evil with his eyes.(A)

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(A)A king who sits on the throne of justice
[a]Disperses all evil with his eyes.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:8 Or Sifts

26 A wise king separates out the wicked(A)
and drives the threshing wheel(B) over them.

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26 A (A)wise king scatters the wicked,
And [a]drives a (B)threshing wheel over them.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:26 Lit turns

28 Loyalty and faithfulness guard a king;
through loyalty he maintains his throne.

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28 [a]Loyalty and (A)truth watch over the king,
And he upholds his throne by [b]loyalty.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:28 I.e., covenant loyalty
  2. Proverbs 20:28 I.e., covenant loyalty

21 A king’s heart is like channeled water in the Lord’s hand:
He directs it wherever he chooses.(A)

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On Life and Conduct

21 The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
He (A)turns it wherever He pleases.

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