Proverbs 20:2 - Revised Standard Version (RSV-CI)

² The dread wrath of a king is like the growling of a lion; he who provokes him to anger forfeits his life.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

² The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: Whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

² The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger or angers himself against him sins against his own life.

American Standard Version (1901)

² The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: He that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own life.

Common English Bible

² A king is as terrifying as a lion’s growl. Those who anger him may lose their life.

Catholic Public Domain Version

² Just like the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king. Whoever provokes him sins in his own soul.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

² As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul.

Proverbs 20:2 Cross References

1 Kings 2:23

Then King Solomon swore by the Lord, saying, “God do so to me and more also if this word does not cost Adonijah his life!

1 Kings 2:24

Now therefore as the Lord lives, who has established me, and placed me on the throne of David my father, and who has made me a house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death this day.”

Proverbs 19:12

A king's wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew upon the grass.

Proverbs 8:36

but he who misses me injures himself; all who hate me love death.”

Ecclesiastes 10:4

If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for deference will make amends for great offenses.

Hosea 11:10

They shall go after the Lord, he will roar like a lion; yea, he will roar, and his sons shall come trembling from the west;

Amos 3:8

The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken; who can but prophesy?”

Habakkuk 2:10

You have devised shame to your house by cutting off many peoples; you have forfeited your life.

Numbers 16:38

the censers of these men who have sinned at the cost of their lives; so let them be made into hammered plates as a covering for the altar, for they offered them before the Lord; therefore they are holy. Thus they shall be a sign to the people of Israel.”