¹A man who has been reproved many times

Becomes stiff-necked

And will suddenly suffer a downfall

With no remedy.

²When the righteous have power,

The people are joyful,

But when a wicked man rules,

The people sigh.

³A man who loves wisdom

Pleases his father,

But he who associates with prostitutes

Dissipates wealth.

⁴A king reigning judiciously

Establishes a country,

But a man open to bribes

Demolishes it.

⁵A man who flatters his neighbour

Spreads a net at his steps.

⁶An evil man is a snare with his transgression,

But a righteous man shouts for joy

And rejoices.

⁷A righteous man recognizes the legal rights of the poor,

But a wicked man does not care to acknowledge them.

⁸Scornful men incite a town,

But the wise avert anger.

⁹As for a wise man litigating with a fool,

Whether he rages or laughs,

There is no rest.

¹⁰Bloodthirsty men hate an integrous man,

But the upright seek to preserve his life.

¹¹A fool gives vent to all his temperament,

But a wise man keeps it quiet in the background.

¹²If a ruler heeds lying words,

All his servants will be recruited from the wicked.

¹³When a poor man and a violent man meet,

The Lord enlightens the eyes of both of them.

¹⁴If a king judges the poor truthfully,

His throne will be established in perpetuity.

¹⁵The rod and reproof yield wisdom,

But a child excused

Brings shame on his mother.

¹⁶When the wicked increase,

Transgression increases too,

But the righteous will see their downfall.

¹⁷Correct your son,

And he will give you rest,

And he will give your being great pleasure.

¹⁸When there is no vision,

The people will behave wildly,

But as for him who keeps the law,

Blessed is he.

¹⁹A servant will not be corrected by words;

Even if he understands,

There will not be a response.

²⁰Have you seen a man

Who was rash with his words?

There is more hope for a fool than him.

²¹When one spoils one's servant from his youth,

The result of it will be ingratitude.

²²A bad-tempered man stirs up strife,

And a man prone to fury

Is in great transgression.

²³A man's pride will bring him low,

But he of humble spirit will acquire honour.

²⁴He who shares spoil with a thief

Hates himself;

He hears an oath,

But he does not tell anyone.

²⁵A man's disquiet constitutes a snare,

But he who trusts in the Lord

Will be placed in security.

²⁶Many seek an audience with a ruler,

But a man's justice will come from the Lord.

²⁷An iniquitous man is an abomination to the righteous,

Whereas he who is upright in his way

Is an abomination to the wicked man.