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Warnings and Instructions

¹ He who hardens his neck and refuses instruction after being ^(C1)often reproved (corrected, criticized),
Will ^(C2)suddenly be broken beyond repair.

² When the ^(C1)righteous are in authority and become great, the people rejoice;
But when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh.

³ A man who ^(C1)loves skillful and godly wisdom makes his father joyful,
But he who ^(C2)associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth.

⁴ The ^(C1)king establishes (stabilizes) the land by justice,
But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.

⁵ A man who ^(C1)flatters his neighbor with smooth words intending to do harm
Is spreading a net for his own feet.

⁶ By his wicked plan an evil man is ^(C1)trapped,
But the righteous man ^(C2)sings and rejoices for his plan brings good things to him.

⁷ The ^(C1)righteous man cares for the rights of the poor,
But the wicked man has no interest in such knowledge. ^(VR1)

⁸ Scoffers ^(C1)set a city afire by stirring up trouble,
But ^(C2)wise men turn away anger and restore order with their good judgment.

⁹ If a wise man has a controversy with a foolish and arrogant man,
The foolish man ignores logic and fairness and only rages or laughs, and there is no peace (rest, agreement).

¹⁰ The ^(C1)bloodthirsty hate the blameless because of his integrity,
But the upright are concerned for his life. ^(VR1)

¹¹ A shortsighted ^(C1)fool always loses his temper and displays his anger,
But a ^(C2)wise man uses self-control and holds it back.

¹² If a ^(C1)ruler pays attention to lies and encourages corruption,
All his officials will become wicked.

¹³ The ^(C1)poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
The LORD gives ^(C2)light to the eyes of both. ^(VR1)

¹⁴ If a ^(C1)king faithfully and truthfully judges the poor,
His ^(C2)throne shall be established forever.

¹⁵ The ^(C1)rod and reproof (godly instruction) give wisdom,
But a child who gets his own way ^(C2)brings shame to his mother.

¹⁶ When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases,
But the ^(C1)righteous will see the downfall of the wicked.

^17 (C1)Correct your son, and he will give you comfort;
Yes, he will ^(C2)delight your soul.

¹⁸ Where there is no ^(C1)vision no revelation of God and His word, the people ^(C2)are unrestrained;
But ^(C3)happy and blessed is he who keeps the law of God. ^(VR1)

¹⁹ A servant will not be corrected by words alone;
For though he understands, he will not respond nor pay attention.

²⁰ Do you see a conceited man ^(C1)who speaks quickly offering his opinions or answering without thinking?
There is ^(C2)more hope for a thickheaded ^(F1)fool than for him.

²¹ He who pampers his slave from childhood
Will find him to be a son in the end.

²² An ^(C1)angry man stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered and undisciplined man commits many transgressions.

²³ A man's ^(C1)pride and sense of self-importance will bring him down,
But he who has a ^(C2)humble spirit will obtain honor. ^(VR1)

²⁴ Whoever is partner with a thief hates his own life;
He ^(C1)hears the curse when swearing an oath to testify, but discloses nothing and commits perjury by omission.

²⁵ The ^(C1)fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever ^(C2)trusts in and puts his confidence in the LORD will be exalted and safe.

^26 (C1)Many seek the ruler's favor,
But ^(C2)justice for man comes from the LORD.

²⁷ An ^(C1)unjust man is repulsive to the righteous,
And he who is ^(C2)upright in the way of the LORD is repulsive to the wicked.