Proverbs 14:28
International Standard Version
28 A large population is a king’s glory,
but a shortage of people is a ruler’s ruin.
Proverbs 14:35
International Standard Version
35 The king approves the wise servant,
but he is angry at anyone who acts shamefully.
Proverbs 16:10
International Standard Version
10 When a king is ready to speak officially,[a]
what he says should not err with respect to justice.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:10 Lit. king speaks an oracle
Proverbs 16:12-15
International Standard Version
12 Kings detest wrongdoing,
for through righteousness the throne is established.
13 Kings take pleasure in righteous speech;
they treasure a person who speaks what is upright.
14 The king’s wrath results in a death sentence,
but whoever is wise will appease him.
15 When a king is pleased,[a] there is life,
and his favor is like a cloud that brings spring rain.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:15 Lit. a king’s face lightens
Proverbs 17:7
International Standard Version
7 Appropriate speech is inconsistent with the fool;
how much more are deceitful statements[a] with a prince!
Footnotes
- Proverbs 17:7 Lit. lips
Proverbs 17:11
International Standard Version
11 A rebellious person seeks evil;
a cruel emissary will be sent to oppose him.
Proverbs 19:12
International Standard Version
12 The king’s anger is like the roaring of a lion,
but his goodwill is like dew on the grass.
Proverbs 20:2
International Standard Version
2 A king’s anger is like a lion’s roar;
anyone who angers him forfeits his life.
Proverbs 20:8
International Standard Version
8 A king sits on a throne of justice,
sifting out all sorts of evil with his glance.
Proverbs 20:26
International Standard Version
26 A wise king sifts the wicked,
crushing them with the threshing wheel.
Proverbs 20:28
International Standard Version
28 Gracious love and truth preserve a king;
through love his throne is made secure.
Proverbs 21:1
International Standard Version
Thoughts on the Sovereignty of God
21 A king’s heart is a water stream that the Lord controls;
he directs it wherever he pleases.
Proverbs 22:11
International Standard Version
11 Whoever loves purity[a] and gracious speech
will gain the king as his friend.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 22:11 Lit. purity of heart
Proverbs 23:1-3
International Standard Version
Things to Avoid in Life
23 Whenever you sit down to dine with a ruler,
carefully think about what is before you.
2 Put a knife to your own throat,
if you have a big appetite.[a]
3 Don’t crave his delicacies,
because the meal is deceptive.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 23:2 Lit. a master of an appetite
Proverbs 24:21-22
International Standard Version
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?
Proverbs 25:2-7
International Standard Version
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
and the glory of kings to investigate a matter.
3 Just as the heavens are high
and earth is deep,
so the heart of a king is unfathomable.
4 Purge the dross from the silver,
and material for[a] a vessel comes forth for the silversmith.
5 Purge the wicked from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Don’t magnify yourself in the presence of a king,
and don’t pretend to be in the company of famous men,
7 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,
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:4 The Heb. lacks material for
Proverbs 25:15
International Standard Version
15 Through patience a ruler may be persuaded;
a gentle word[a] can break a bone.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:15 Lit. tongue
Proverbs 28:2-3
International Standard Version
2 When a land transgresses,
it gains a succession of leaders,
but with an understanding and knowledgeable man,
its stability endures.
3 A poor man who oppresses the weak
is like a rainstorm that destroys all[a] the crops.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:3 Lit. that leaves no
Proverbs 28:15-16
International Standard Version
15 A roaring lion and a charging bear—
that’s what a wicked tyrant is over poor people.
16 A Commander-in-Chief[a] who is a cruel oppressor lacks understanding,
but whoever hates unjust gain will live longer.[b]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:16 Lit. Nagid; i.e. a senior officer entrusted with dual roles of operational oversight and administrative authority
- Proverbs 28:16 Lit. will lengthen his days
Proverbs 29:4
International Standard Version
4 A king brings stability to a land through justice,
but a man who takes bribes brings it to ruin.
Proverbs 29:12
International Standard Version
12 When a ruler is listening to lies,
all of his officials tend to become wicked.
Proverbs 29:14
International Standard Version
14 When a king faithfully administers justice to the poor,
his throne will be established forever.
Proverbs 29:26
International Standard Version
26 Many seek a ruler’s favor,[a]
but justice for a man comes from the Lord.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:26 Lit. face
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.
