1 A man who does not listen after many strong words are spoken to him will be destroyed all at once and without help.

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

2 W hen those who are right with God rule, the people are glad, but when a sinful man rules, the people have sorrow.

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

3 A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but he who goes with women who sell the use of their bodies wastes his money.

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

4 T he king makes the land strong by doing what is right and fair, but the one who takes pay for doing wrong, destroys it.

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

5 A man who gives his neighbor sweet-sounding words that are not true spreads a net for his own feet.

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

6 A sinful man is trapped by his sins, but a man who is right with God sings for joy.

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

7 T he man who is right with God cares about the rights of poor people, but the sinful man does not understand such things.

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

8 M en who speak against others set a city on fire, but wise men turn away anger.

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

9 W hen a wise man argues with a foolish man, the fool only gets angry or laughs, and there is no peace and quiet.

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

10 M en who kill hate him without blame, but a good man cares for his life.

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

11 A fool always loses his temper, but a wise man keeps quiet.

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

12 I f a ruler listens to lies, all who work for him will become sinful.

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

13 T he Lord gives light to the eyes of both the poor man and the man who makes it hard for others.

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

14 I f the king is fair as he judges the poor, his throne will stand forever.

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

15 T he stick and strong words give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.

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

16 W hen the sinful are many, sins become many, but those who are right with God will see their fall.

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

17 P unish your son when he does wrong and he will give you comfort. Yes, he will give joy to your soul.

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

18 W here there is no understanding of the Word of the Lord, the people do whatever they want to, but happy is he who keeps the law.

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

19 A servant will not be taught by words alone. For even if 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 quick with 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 gives good care to his servant from the time he is young, will in the end find him to be a son.

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

22 A man of anger starts fights, and a man with a bad temper is full of wrong-doing.

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

23 A man’s pride will bring him down, but he whose spirit is without pride will receive honor.

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

24 H e who works with a robber hates his own life. He knows about the bad that will come, but can tell 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 trap, but he who trusts in the Lord will be honored.

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

26 M any look for the ruler’s favor, but what is right and fair comes from the Lord.

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

27 A sinful man is a shame to those who are right with God, and he who is right with God is a shame to the sinful.

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