Proverbs 14:35
New International Version
A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury.

New Living Translation
A king rejoices in wise servants but is angry with those who disgrace him.

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

Berean Standard Bible
A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.

King James Bible
The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

New King James Version
The king’s favor is toward a wise servant, But his wrath is against him who causes shame.

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

NASB 1995
The king’s favor is toward a servant who acts wisely, But his anger is toward him who acts shamefully.

NASB 1977
The king’s favor is toward a servant who acts wisely, But his anger is toward him who acts shamefully.

Legacy Standard Bible
The king’s favor is toward a servant who acts insightfully, But his fury is toward him who acts shamefully.

Amplified Bible
The king’s favor and good will are toward a servant who acts wisely and discreetly, But his anger and wrath are toward him who acts shamefully.

Christian Standard Bible
A king favors a prudent servant, but his anger falls on a disgraceful one.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A king favors a wise servant, but his anger falls on a disgraceful one.

American Standard Version
The king's favor is toward a servant that dealeth wisely; But his wrath will be against him that causeth shame.

Contemporary English Version
Kings reward servants who act wisely, but they punish those who act foolishly.

English Revised Version
The king's favour is toward a servant that dealeth wisely: but his wrath shall be against him that causeth shame.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A king is delighted with a servant who acts wisely, but he is furious with one who acts shamefully.

Good News Translation
Kings are pleased with competent officials, but they punish those who fail them.

International Standard Version
The king approves the wise servant, but he is angry at anyone who acts shamefully.

Majority Standard Bible
A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.

NET Bible
The king shows favor to a wise servant, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

New Heart English Bible
The king's favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.

Webster's Bible Translation
The king's favor is towards a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

World English Bible
The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The favor of a king [is] to a wise servant, "" And one causing shame is an object of his wrath!

Young's Literal Translation
The favour of a king is to a wise servant, And an object of his wrath is one causing shame!

Smith's Literal Translation
The acceptance of the king to a servant of understanding: and his wrath shall be to him causing shame.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
A wise servant is acceptable to the king: he that is good for nothing shall feel his anger.

Catholic Public Domain Version
An intelligent minister is acceptable to the king. Whoever is useless shall bear his wrath.

New American Bible
The king favors the skillful servant, but the shameless one incurs his wrath.

New Revised Standard Version
A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The king's favor is toward a wise servant; but the wicked shall be overthrown by his own devices. He who is confident that he is without sin is righteous. Anger destroys even wise men.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The pleasure of the King is with an understanding Servant, and by the wisdom of his soul evil is overthrown. He that trusts that he has no sins is righteous, but passion will destroy even wise men.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The king's favour is toward a servant that dealeth wisely; But his wrath striketh him that dealeth shamefully.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
An understanding servant is acceptable to a king; and by his good behaviour he removes disgrace.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Wise Woman
34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. 35A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.

Cross References
Matthew 25:21
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’

Luke 12:42-44
And the Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their portion at the proper time? / Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. / Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

1 Peter 2:18
Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable.

Colossians 3:22-24
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord. / Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, / because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Ephesians 6:5-8
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. / And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. / Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, ...

1 Samuel 2:30
Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.

Genesis 39:2-4
And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master. / When his master saw that the LORD was with him and made him prosper in all he did, / Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned.

Daniel 6:3
Soon, by his extraordinary spirit, Daniel distinguished himself among the administrators and satraps. So the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

1 Kings 11:28
Now Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor. So when Solomon noticed that the young man was industrious, he put him in charge of the whole labor force of the house of Joseph.

Nehemiah 2:5-8
and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city where my fathers are buried, so that I may rebuild it.” / Then the king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me, and I set a time. / I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may letters be given to me for the governors west of the Euphrates, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah. ...

Matthew 24:45-47
Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the others their food at the proper time? / Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. / Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

Romans 13:3-4
For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. / For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.

1 Timothy 6:1-2
All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited. / Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.

Titus 2:9-10
Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, / not stealing from them, but showing all good faith, so that in every respect they will adorn the teaching about God our Savior.

1 Corinthians 4:2
Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.


Treasury of Scripture

The king's favor is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causes shame.

king's

Proverbs 19:12,13
The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass…

Proverbs 20:8,26
A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes…

Proverbs 22:11
He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.

him

Proverbs 10:5
He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

Proverbs 17:2
A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

Proverbs 19:26
He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

Jump to Previous
Acts Anger Causes Causeth Causing Dealeth Deals Delights Falls Favor Favour King's Object Pleasure Servant Shame Shameful Shamefully Striketh Towards Wise Wisely Wrath
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Acts Anger Causes Causeth Causing Dealeth Deals Delights Falls Favor Favour King's Object Pleasure Servant Shame Shameful Shamefully Striketh Towards Wise Wisely Wrath
Proverbs 14
1. A wise woman builds her house














A king delights in a wise servant
In ancient Israel, the role of a servant was crucial in the royal court. A wise servant was one who demonstrated discernment, loyalty, and the ability to manage affairs prudently. This wisdom is not merely intellectual but also moral and spiritual, aligning with the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). The delight of the king in such a servant reflects the biblical principle that those who serve well are honored (1 Samuel 2:30). This can be seen in the story of Joseph, who, through his wisdom and integrity, gained favor with Pharaoh (Genesis 41:39-41). The king's delight also prefigures the pleasure of God in His faithful servants, as seen in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:21).

but his anger falls on the shameful
The shameful servant is one who acts foolishly, bringing disgrace upon himself and potentially causing harm to the king's reputation and kingdom. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, honor and shame were significant social values. A servant's shameful behavior could lead to severe consequences, including punishment or dismissal. This reflects the biblical theme of reaping what one sows (Galatians 6:7). The anger of the king is not arbitrary but a response to the servant's failure to fulfill his duties. This mirrors God's righteous anger towards sin and unfaithfulness (Romans 1:18). The contrast between the wise and shameful servant also points to the ultimate judgment where Christ, the King of Kings, will separate the faithful from the unfaithful (Matthew 25:31-46).

Persons / Places / Events
1. King
Represents authority and leadership. In the context of ancient Israel, a king was the highest earthly authority, responsible for justice and governance.

2. Wise Servant
Symbolizes those who act with discernment, integrity, and faithfulness. Wisdom in this context is not just intellectual but moral and spiritual, aligning with God's principles.

3. Shameful Servant
Represents those who act foolishly or immorally, bringing disgrace upon themselves and their master. This behavior contrasts with the wisdom and integrity expected by the king.
Teaching Points
The Value of Wisdom in Service
Wisdom is not just knowledge but the application of God's truth in our daily lives. A wise servant is one who aligns their actions with God's will, bringing delight to those in authority.

Consequences of Foolishness
Foolish actions lead to shame and negative consequences. Just as a king's anger falls on a shameful servant, our actions have repercussions that can affect our relationships and standing.

The Role of Authority
Authority figures, like the king, are placed by God to maintain order and justice. Our response to authority should be one of respect and wisdom, reflecting our commitment to God's order.

Integrity in All Circumstances
Whether in favorable or challenging situations, maintaining integrity and wisdom is crucial. This pleases God and those in authority over us.

Reflecting Christ in Service
As Christians, we are called to serve as Christ did, with humility and wisdom. Our service should reflect Christ's love and truth, bringing glory to God.Verse 35. - The king's favour is toward a wise servant; servant that dealeth wisely (Revised Version). Thus Joseph was advanced to the highest post in Egypt, owing to the wisdom which he displayed; so, too, in the case of Daniel (comp. Matthew 24:45, 47). But his wrath is against him that causeth shame; literally, he that doeth shamefully shall be (the object of) his wrath. The Vulgate translates, Iracundiam ejus inutilis sustinebit; the Septuagint makes the second clause parallel to the first, "An intelligent servant is acceptable to the king, and by his expertness (εὐτοροφίᾳ) he removeth disgrace." Then is added, before the first verse of the next chapter, a paragraph which looks like an explanation of the present clause, or an introduction to ver. 1 of ch. 15.: "Anger destroyeth even the prudent."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A king
מֶ֭לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

delights in
רְֽצוֹן־ (rə·ṣō·wn-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7522: Goodwill, favor, acceptance, will

a wise
מַשְׂכִּ֑יל (maś·kîl)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7919: To be, circumspect, intelligent

servant,
לְעֶ֣בֶד (lə·‘e·ḇeḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

but his anger
וְ֝עֶבְרָת֗וֹ (wə·‘eḇ·rā·ṯōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5678: Overflow, arrogance, fury

falls
תִּהְיֶ֥ה (tih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

on the shameful.
מֵבִֽישׁ׃ (mê·ḇîš)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 954: To pale, to be ashamed, to be disappointed, delayed


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 14:35 The king's favor is toward a servant (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 14:34
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