28 In a multitude of people is a king’s honor,
But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince.

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35 (A)The king’s favor is toward a wise servant,
But his wrath is against him who causes shame.

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10 Divination is on the lips of the king;
His mouth must not transgress in judgment.

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13 (A)Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And they love him who speaks what is right.
14 As messengers of death is the king’s wrath,
But a wise man will (B)appease it.
15 In the light of the king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a (C)cloud of the latter rain.

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

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The [a]wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion;
Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:2 Lit. fear or terror, produced by the king’s wrath

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

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26 (A)A wise king sifts out the wicked,
And brings the threshing wheel over them.

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28 (A)Mercy and truth preserve the king,
And by [a]lovingkindness he upholds his throne.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:28 mercy

The Lord Considers the Heart

21 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,
Like the [a]rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:1 channels

11 (A)He who loves purity of heart
And has grace on his lips,
The king will be his friend.

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29 Do you see a man who [a]excels in his work?
He will stand before kings;
He will not stand before [b]unknown men.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:29 is prompt in his business
  2. Proverbs 22:29 obscure

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?

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(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.

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(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.

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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.

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

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14 The king who judges the (A)poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever.

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(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.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:5 Lit. sons of affliction

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