Previous Chapter | Next Chapter
v1
A man who is reproved, being stubborn of neck— suddenly he will be broken, and there will not be healing.
v2
When the righteous are numerous, the people will rejoice, but when the wicked are ruling, people will groan.
v3
A man who loves wisdom will make his parents glad, but the friend of prostitutes ^[Or “whores”] will squander his wealth.
v4
By justice a king gives stability to a land, but a man of bribes will ruin it.
v5
A strong man who flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet.
v6
In transgression, an evil man is a snare, but the righteous will sing and rejoice. ^[Hebrew “he will rejoice”]
v7
The righteous knows the case of the poor, but the wicked does not understand knowledge.
v8
Men of scoffing set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.
v9
If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, then there is rankling and ridicule, ^[Hebrew “there is ridicule”] but there is no relief.
v10
Men of blood hate the blameless, and they seek the life of the upright. ^[Or “soul,” or “inner self”]
v11
A fool gives all his breath, ^[Or “spirit”] but the wise holds back in quiet.
v12
A ruler listening to a word of falsehood, all his officials are wicked.
v13
The poor and a man of oppression have this in common: Yahweh gives light to the eyes of them both. ^[Literally “light of the eyes of the two of them”]
v14
A king who judges with truthfulness to the poor, his throne will be established forever.
v15
As for a rod and reproof, they ^[Hebrew “it”] will give wisdom, but a neglected child is disgraced by his mother.
v16
With the increase of the wicked, transgression will increase, but the righteous will look on his downfall.
v17
Discipline your children, and they will give you rest, and they will give delight to your soul. ^[Or “life,” or “inner self”]
v18
When there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint, but as for he who guards instruction, happiness is his.
v19
By words, a servant is not disciplined, for he will understand, but there is no giving heed.
v20
You see a man who is hasty in his words: there is more hope for a fool than him.
v21
He who pampers his servant from childhood, arrogance will be his end. ^[Literally “and its/his end will be arrogance”]
v22
A man of anger will stir strife, and the owner of anger, much transgression.
v23
The pride of a person will bring him humiliation, and the lowly of spirit will obtain honor.
v24
Being a partner with a thief is hating one’s life; ^[Or “soul,” or “inner self”] a curse he will hear, but not disclose.
v25
The fear of a person will lay a snare, but he who trusts in Yahweh will be secure.
v26
Many are those who seek the favor ^[Literally “faces”] of a ruler, but from Yahweh one obtains justice. ^[Literally “comes justice for a man”]
v27
A man of injustice is an abomination to the righteous, but the upright ^[Literally “upright of way”] is an abomination to the wicked.