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Warnings and Instructions

¹ A man who hardens his neck after ^(C1)much reproof
Will ^(C2)suddenly be broken ^(F1)beyond remedy.

² When the ^(C1)righteous ^(F1)increase, the people rejoice,
But when a wicked man rules, people groan.

³ A man who ^(C1)loves wisdom makes his father glad,
But he who ^(C2)keeps company with harlots wastes his wealth.

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

⁵ A man who ^(C1)flatters his neighbor
Is spreading a net for his steps.

⁶ By transgression an evil man is ^(C1)ensnared,
But the righteous ^(C2)sings and rejoices.

⁷ The ^(C1)righteous ^(F1)is concerned for the rights of the poor,
The wicked does not understand such ^(F2)concern.

⁸ Scorners ^(C1)set a city aflame,
But ^(C2)wise men turn away anger.

⁹ When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man,
^(F1)The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.

¹⁰ Men of ^(C1)bloodshed hate the blameless,
But the upright ^(F1)are concerned for his life.

¹¹ A ^(C1)fool ^(F1)always loses his temper,
But a ^(C2)wise man holds it back.

¹² If a ^(C1)ruler pays attention to falsehood,
All his ministers become wicked.

¹³ The ^(C1)poor man and the oppressor ^(F1)have this in common:
The LORD gives ^(C2)light to the eyes of both.

¹⁴ If a ^(C1)king judges the poor with truth,
His ^(C2)throne will be established forever.

¹⁵ The ^(C1)rod and reproof give wisdom,
But a child ^(F1)who gets his own way ^(C2)brings shame to his mother.

¹⁶ When the wicked ^(F1)increase, transgression increases;
But the ^(C1)righteous will see their fall.

^17 (C1)Correct your son, and he will give you comfort;
He will also ^(F1)(C2)delight your soul.

¹⁸ Where there is ^(C1)no ^(F1)vision, the people ^(C2)are unrestrained,
But ^(C3)happy is he who keeps the law.

¹⁹ A slave will not be instructed by words alone;
For though he understands, there will be no response.

²⁰ Do you see a man who is ^(C1)hasty in his words?
There is ^(C2)more hope for a fool than for him.

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

²² An ^(C1)angry man stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

²³ A man's ^(C1)pride will bring him low,
But a ^(C2)humble spirit will obtain honor.

²⁴ He who is a partner with a thief hates his own life;
He ^(C1)hears the oath but tells nothing.

²⁵ The ^(C1)fear of man ^(F1)brings a snare,
But he who ^(C2)trusts in the LORD will be exalted.

^26 (C1)Many seek the ruler's ^(F1)favor,
But ^(C2)justice for man comes from the LORD.

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