The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

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

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

A divine decision is in the lips of the king;
His mouth should not err in judgment.

The fury of a king is like messengers of death,
But a wise man will appease it.

In the light of a king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.

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

The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion;
He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.

A king who sits on the throne of justice
Disperses all evil with his eyes.

A wise king winnows the wicked,
And drives the threshing wheel over them.

Loyalty and truth preserve the king,
And he upholds his throne by righteousness.

The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
He turns it wherever He wishes.

He who loves purity of heart
And whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend.

My son, fear the Lord and the king;
Do not associate with those who are given to change,

These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.

Take away the wicked before the king,
And his throne will be established in righteousness.

Do not claim honor in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the place of great men;

The king gives stability to the land by justice,
But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.

If a king judges the poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever.

Under a slave when he becomes king,
And a fool when he is satisfied with food,

The locusts have no king,
Yet all of them go out in ranks;

The strutting rooster, the male goat also,
And a king when his army is with him.

The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him: