¹ He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
² When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.
³ Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,
But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.
⁴ The king establishes the land by justice,
But he who receives bribes overthrows it.
⁵ A man who flatters his neighbor
Spreads a net for his feet.
⁶ By transgression an evil man is snared,
But the righteous sings and rejoices.
⁷ The righteous considers the cause of the poor,
But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.
⁸ Scoffers set a city aflame,
But wise men turn away wrath.
⁹ If a wise man contends with a foolish man,
Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.
¹⁰ The bloodthirsty hate the blameless,
But the upright seek his well-being.^[a]
11 A fool vents all his feelings,^[b]
But a wise man holds them back.
¹² If a ruler pays attention to lies,
All his servants become wicked.
¹³ The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
¹⁴ The king who judges the poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever.
¹⁵ The rod and rebuke give wisdom,
But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
¹⁶ When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases;
But the righteous will see their fall.
¹⁷ Correct your son, and he will give you rest;
Yes, he will give delight to your soul.
¹⁸ Where there is no revelation,^[c] the people cast off restraint;
But happy is he who keeps the law.
¹⁹ A servant will not be corrected by mere words;
For though he understands, he will not respond.
²⁰ Do you see a man hasty in his words?
There ismore hope for a fool than for him.
²¹ He who pampers his servant from childhood
Will have him as a son in the end.
²² An angry man stirs up strife,
And a furious man abounds in transgression.
²³ A man’s pride will bring him low,
But the humble in spirit will retain honor.
²⁴ Whoever is a partner with a thief hates his own life;
He swears to tell the truth,^[d] but reveals nothing.
²⁵ The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.
²⁶ Many seek the ruler’s favor,
But justice for man comes from the LORD.
²⁷ An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.