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

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28 The glory of a king is a multitude of people;
    without people a prince is ruined.

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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 A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor,
    but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.(A)

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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 Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king;
    his mouth does not sin in judgment.

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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 to kings to do evil,
    for the throne is established by righteousness.(A)
13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
    and he loves those who speak what is right.(B)
14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
    and whoever is wise will appease it.(C)
15 In the light of a king’s face there is life,
    and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.(D)

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

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Excess speech is not becoming to a fool;
    still less is false speech to a ruler.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 17.7 Or a noble

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 Evil people seek only rebellion,
    but a cruel messenger will be sent against them.

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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 king’s anger is like the growling of a lion,
    but his favor is like dew on the grass.(A)

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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 dread anger of a king is like the growling of a lion;
    anyone who provokes him to anger forfeits life itself.(A)

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

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A king who sits on the throne of judgment
    winnows all evil with his eyes.

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

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26 A wise king winnows the wicked
    and drives the wheel over them.

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

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28 Loyalty and faithfulness preserve the king,
    and his throne is upheld by righteousness.[a](A)

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Footnotes

  1. 20.28 Gk: Heb 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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21 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
    he turns it wherever he will.

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