Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.

By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just;

by me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth.

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.

Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.

A large population is a king`s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.

A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury.

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice.

Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.

Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right.

A king`s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it.

When a king`s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler!

Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.

It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

A king`s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

A king`s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives.

When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes.

Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance.

A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them.

Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.

In the Lord`s hand the king`s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.

Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.

When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you,

Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers.

Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials,

for those two will send sudden destruction on them, and who knows what calamities they can bring?

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.

As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

remove wicked officials from the king`s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.

Do not exalt yourself in the king`s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men;

it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before his nobles. What you have seen with your eyes

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;

for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.

When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.

A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.

Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.

When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.

By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.

If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.

If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever.

When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall.

Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.

a servant who becomes king, a godless fool who gets plenty to eat,

locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks;

a strutting rooster, a he-goat, and a king secure against revolt.

The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.

Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.

It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,

lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.

Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.