29 A man who stiffens his neck after much reproof
Will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
2 When the righteous are many, the people rejoice,
But when the wicked one rules, the people groan.
3 A man who loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,
But the one who keeps company with prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king brings stability to a land,
But a man seeking bribes brings it to ruin.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor
Spreads out a net for his feet.
6 A bad man’s transgression ensnares him,
But the righteous one cries out joyfully and rejoices.
7 The righteous one is concerned about the legal rights of the poor,
But the wicked one has no such concern.
8 Boastful men inflame a town,
But those who are wise turn away anger.
9 When a wise man enters into a controversy with a fool,
There will be ranting and ridicule, but no satisfaction.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate anyone innocent,
And they seek to take the life of the upright.
11 A stupid person gives vent to all his feelings,
But the wise one calmly keeps them in check.
12 When a ruler pays attention to lies,
All his servants will be wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
Ahv'ah {Heb. Yahvah} gives light to the eyes of both.
14 When a king judges the poor fairly,
His throne will always be secure.
15 The rod and reproof impart wisdom,
But a child left unrestrained brings shame on his mother.
16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
But the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Discipline your son and he will bring you rest;
And he will give you great pleasure.
18 Where there is no vision, the people go unrestrained,
But happy are those who observe the law.
19 A servant will not let himself be corrected by words,
For though he understands, he does not obey.
20 Have you seen a man hasty with his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 If a servant is pampered from his youth,
He will become thankless later on.
22 A man prone to anger stirs up strife;
Anyone disposed to rage commits many transgressions.
23 The haughtiness of a man will humble him,
But whoever is humble in spirit will obtain glory.
24 The partner of a thief hates himself.
He may hear the call to testify, but he reports nothing.
25 Trembling at men is a snare,
But the one trusting in Ahv'ah {Heb. Yahvah} will be protected.
26 Many seek an audience with a ruler,
But it is from Ahv'ah {Heb. Yahvah} that a man gets justice.
27 An unjust man is detestable to the righteous,
But the one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked one.