1 H e who, being often reproved, hardens his neck shall suddenly be destroyed—and that without remedy.

A man often reproved, hardening the neck, Is suddenly broken, and there is no healing.

2 W hen the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh.

In the multiplying of the righteous the people rejoice, And in the ruling of the wicked the people sigh.

3 W hoever loves skillful and godly Wisdom rejoices his father, but he who associates with harlots wastes his substance.

A man loving wisdom rejoiceth his father, And a friend of harlots destroyeth wealth.

4 T he king by justice establishes the land, but he who exacts gifts and tribute overthrows it.

A king by judgment establisheth a land, And one receiving gifts throweth it down.

5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his own feet.

A man taking a portion above his neighbour, Spreadeth a net for his own steps.

6 I n the transgression of an evil man there is a snare, but the righteous man sings and rejoices.

In the transgression of the evil a snare, And the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

7 T he righteous man knows and cares for the rights of the poor, but the wicked man has no interest in such knowledge.

The righteous knoweth the plea of the poor, The wicked understandeth not knowledge.

8 S coffers set a city afire, but wise men turn away wrath.

Men of scorning ensnare a city, And the wise turn back anger.

9 I f a wise man has an argument with a foolish man, the fool only rages or laughs, and there is no rest.

A wise man is judged by the foolish man, And he hath been angry, And he hath laughed, and there is no rest.

10 T he bloodthirsty hate the blameless man, but the upright care for and seek his life.

Men of blood hate the perfect, And the upright seek his soul.

11 A fool utters all his anger, but a wise man holds it back and stills it.

A fool bringeth out all his mind, And the wise till afterwards restraineth it.

12 I f a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will become wicked.

A ruler who is attending to lying words, All his ministers wicked.

13 T he poor man and the oppressor meet together—the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.

The poor and the man of frauds have met together, Jehovah is enlightening the eyes of them both.

14 T he king who faithfully judges the poor, his throne shall be established continuously.

a king that is judging truly the poor, His throne for ever is established.

15 T he rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left undisciplined brings his mother to shame.

A rod and reproof give wisdom, And a youth let away is shaming his mother.

16 W hen the wicked are in authority, transgression increases, but the righteous shall see the fall of the wicked.

In the multiplying of the wicked transgression multiplieth, And the righteous on their fall do look.

17 C orrect your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your heart.

Chastise thy son, and he giveth thee comfort, Yea, he giveth delights to thy soul.

18 W here there is no vision, the people perish; but he who keeps the law —blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.

Without a Vision is a people made naked, And whoso is keeping the law, O his happiness!

19 A servant will not be corrected by words alone; for though he understands, he will not answer.

By words a servant is not instructed though he understand, And there is nothing answering.

20 D o you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Thou hast seen a man hasty in his words! More hope of a fool than of him.

21 H e who pampers his servant from childhood will have him expecting the rights of a son afterward.

Whoso is bringing up his servant delicately, from youth, his latter end also he is continuator.

22 A man of wrath stirs up strife, and a man given to anger commits and causes much transgression.

An angry man stirreth up contention, And a furious man is multiplying transgression.

23 A man’s pride will bring him low, but he who is of a humble spirit will obtain honor.

The pride of man humbleth him, And humility of spirit upholdeth honour.

24 W hoever is partner with a thief hates his own life; he falls under the curse but discloses nothing.

Whoso is sharing with a thief is hating his own soul, Execration he heareth, and telleth not.

25 T he fear of man brings a snare, but whoever leans on, trusts in, and puts his confidence in the Lord is safe and set on high.

Fear of man causeth a snare, And the confident in Jehovah is set on high.

26 M any crave and seek the ruler’s favor, but the wise man for justice from the Lord.

Many are seeking the face of a ruler, And from Jehovah the judgment of each.

27 A n unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, and he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.

An abomination to the righteous the perverse man, And an abomination to the wicked the upright in the way!