1 ¶ He that being often reproved hardens his neck shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy.

A man who hardens his neck after much reproof Will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.

2 ¶ When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked bear rule, the people mourn.

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan.

3 ¶ Whosoever loves wisdom causes his father to rejoice, but he that maintains harlots shall lose his inheritance.

A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad, But he who keeps company with harlots wastes his wealth.

4 ¶ The king by judgment establishes the land, but he that receives gifts shall overthrow it.

The king gives stability to the land by justice, But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.

5 ¶ The man that flatters his neighbour spreads a net for his feet.

A man who flatters his neighbor Is spreading a net for his steps.

6 ¶ In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare, but the righteous shall sing and rejoice.

By transgression an evil man is ensnared, But the righteous sings and rejoices.

7 ¶ The righteous considers the cause of the poor, but the wicked does not understand wisdom.

The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor, The wicked does not understand such concern.

8 ¶ Scornful men bring a city into a snare, but wise men turn away wrath.

Scorners set a city aflame, But wise men turn away anger.

9 ¶ If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether he rages or laughs, there is no rest.

When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.

10 ¶ The bloodthirsty hate the perfect, but the just seek his soul.

Men of bloodshed hate the blameless, But the upright are concerned for his life.

11 ¶ The fool gives full rein to his spirit, but the wise man in the end will bring it into rest.

A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back.

12 ¶ Of the ruler who hearkens unto the lying word, all his ministers are evil.

If a ruler pays attention to falsehood, All his ministers become wicked.

13 ¶ The poor and the usurer meet together; the LORD lightens both their eyes.

The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.

14 ¶ The king that judges the poor with truth, his throne shall be established for ever.

If a king judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever.

15 ¶ The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself shall bring his mother to shame.

The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.

16 ¶ When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases, but the righteous shall see their fall.

When the wicked increase, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall.

17 ¶ Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; he shall give delight unto thy soul.

Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; He will also delight your soul.

18 ¶ Without prophetic vision, the people shall perish, but he that keeps the law is blessed.

Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law.

19 ¶ A slave will not be corrected by words, for though he understands he will not obey.

A slave will not be instructed by words alone; For though he understands, there will be no response.

20 ¶ Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

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

21 ¶ He that gives freely unto his slave from a child shall have him become his son in the end.

He who pampers his slave from childhood Will in the end find him to be a son.

22 ¶ The angry man stirs up strife, and the furious man abounds in transgression.

An angry man stirs up strife, And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

23 ¶ A man’s pride shall bring him low, but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

A man’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor.

24 ¶ Whosoever is partner with a thief hates his own soul; he hears cursing, and does not disclose it.

He who is a partner with a thief hates his own life; He hears the oath but tells nothing.

25 ¶ The fear of man brings a snare, but whosoever puts his trust in the LORD shall be lifted up.

The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.

26 ¶ Many seek the ruler’s favour, but each man’s judgment comes from the LORD.

Many seek the ruler’s favor, But justice for man comes from the Lord.

27 ¶ An unjust man is an abomination to the just, and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

An unjust man is abominable to the righteous, And he who is upright in the way is abominable to the wicked.