Proverbs 29:4
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
Cross-reference
Proverbs 29:14 reinforces the first half: a king who judges the poor fairly will have a stable throne—justice brings stability.
Proverbs 16:12 states kings detest wrongdoing because righteousness establishes the throne, echoing the king's justice bringing stability.
Proverbs 20:8 echoes the same principle: a king on the throne of judgment scatters evil, reinforcing the link between righteous rule and stability.
Proverbs 15:27 warns that greed for unjust gain troubles a household, echoing the proverb's warning against bribery that overthrows the land.
2 Samuel 8:15 portrays David ruling with judgment and justice — a perfect model of the king who establishes the land through righteous rule.
Psalm 89:14 declares that God's throne is founded on justice and judgment — the same qualities that establish a king's rule on earth.
Psalm 99:4 says the King (God) loves judgment and establishes equity — reflecting the ideal that a just ruler brings stability.
Isaiah 9:7 prophesies the Messiah's kingdom established with judgment and justice — the ultimate fulfillment of the proverb's ideal.
Jeremiah 22:13-17 contrasts Josiah's just rule with Jehoiakim's greedy oppression — a direct illustration of the proverb's two paths.
In Micah 7:3, princes and judges ask for bribes, directly illustrating the corrupt leader who undermines justice.
1 Kings 2:46 concludes Solomon's establishment of the kingdom through justice, exemplifying the stable rule from the proverb's first line.
Jeremiah 22:15 cites King Josiah doing justice and righteousness, which led to well-being, directly illustrating the first part of the proverb.
Acts 24:26 shows Felix hoping for a bribe from Paul, exemplifying the corrupt ruler who takes bribes and undermines justice.