1A man who hardens his neck after much reproof

Will suddenly be broken [†]beyond healing.

2When the righteous [†]increase, the people are glad,

But when a wicked man rules, people groan.

3A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad,

But he who befriends harlots destroys his wealth.

4By justice the king causes the land to stand,

But a man of bribes tears it down.

5A man who flatters his neighbor

Is spreading a net for his steps.

6By transgression an evil man is ensnared,

But the righteous sings with joy and is glad.

7The righteous knows the cause of the poor,

The wicked does not understand that knowledge.

8Scoffers [†]set a city aflame,

But wise men turn away anger.

9When a wise man is brought into judgment with a man who is an ignorant fool,

[†]The ignorant fool both rages and laughs, and there is no rest.

10Men of bloodshed hate the blameless,

But the upright seek the well-being of his soul.

11A fool [†]lets out all of his spirit,

But a wise man holds it back.

12If a ruler pays attention to a lying word,

All his ministers become wicked.

13The poor man and the oppressor meet together in this—

Yahweh gives light to the eyes of both.

14If a king judges the poor with truth,

His throne will be established forever.

15The rod and reproof give wisdom,

But a child [†]left to himself brings shame to his mother.

16When the wicked [†]increase, transgression increases;

But the righteous will see their fall.

17Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;

And he will give delight to your soul.

18Where there is no [†]vision, the people are out of control,

But how blessed is he who keeps the law.

19A slave will not be corrected by words alone;

For though he understands, there will be no answer.

20Do you behold a man who is hasty in his words?

There is more hope for a fool than for him.

21He who pampers his slave from childhood

Will in the end find him to be [†]arrogant.

22An angry man stirs up strife,

And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

23A man’s lofty pride will bring him low,

But a lowly spirit will take hold of glory.

24He who [†]divides the spoil with a thief hates his own soul;

He hears the oath but declares nothing.

25Trembling before man [†]brings a snare,

But he who trusts in Yahweh will be set securely on high.

26Many seek the face of a ruler,

But justice for man comes from Yahweh.

27An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,

And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.