1 'n Man wat baie bestraf is, en sy nek verhard, sal onvoorsiens verbreek word sonder dat daar genesing is.
2 As die regverdiges talryk word, is die volk bly; maar as die goddelose heers, sug die volk.
3 'n Man wat die wysheid liefhet, verbly sy vader; maar hy wat met hoere omgaan, bring die goed deur.
4 'n Koning hou deur reg die land in stand, maar 'n man wat belastings afpers, verwoes dit.
5 'n Man wat sy naaste vlei, sprei 'n net uit voor sy voetstappe.
6 In die oortreding van 'n slegte mens is 'n strik, maar die regverdige sal jubel en bly wees.
7 Die regverdige ken die reg van die armes, maar die goddelose verkry geen kennis nie.
8 Manne wat spot, bring 'n stad in oproer, maar die wyse bring die toorn tot bedaring.
9 Het 'n wyse man met 'n sot 'n regsaak, dan gaan die sot te kere en lag, sonder bedaring.
10 Manne van bloed haat die regskapene, en hulle soek die lewe van die opregtes.
11 'n Dwaas laat al sy toorn uitvaar, maar 'n wyse bring dit eindelik tot bedaring.
12 'n Heerser wat luister na 'n leuenagtige woord, sy dienaars is almal goddeloos.
13 Die arme en die man wat verdruk, ontmoet mekaar, die HERE verlig altwee se oë.
14 'n Koning wat getrou aan die armes reg verskaf, sy troon sal vir altyd bevestig wees.
15 Die roede en die bestraffing gee wysheid; maar 'n seun wat aan homself oorgelaat word, steek sy moeder in die skande.
16 As die goddelose vermeerder, vermeerder die oortreding; maar die regverdiges aanskou met welgevalle hulle ondergang.
17 Tugtig jou seun, dan sal hy jou rus gee en aan jou siel vreugde verskaf.
18 As daar geen openbaring is nie, word die volk bandeloos; maar hy wat die wet onderhou, gelukkig is hy.
19 Met woorde laat 'n slaaf hom nie waarsku nie; want hy verstaan dit wel, maar hy steur hom daar nie aan nie.
20 Het jy 'n man gesien wat haastig is in sy woorde? Vir 'n dwaas is daar meer hoop as vir hom.
21 As 'n mens sy slaaf van jongs af verwen, word hy op die end ondankbaar.
22 'n Opvlieënde man verwek twis, en 'n driftige man is ryk aan oortreding.
23 Die trotsheid van 'n mens verneder hom, maar die nederige van gees sal eer verkry.
24 Hy wat saam met 'n dief deel, haat sy eie siel; hy hoor die beswering, maar openbaar niks nie.
25 Die vrees vir die mens span 'n strik; maar hy wat op die HERE vertrou, sal beskut word.
26 Daar is baie wat die aangesig van die heerser soek, maar die reg van 'n mens kom van die HERE.
27 'n Man van onreg is vir die regverdiges 'n gruwel, en vir die goddelose is die opregte van wandel 'n gruwel.
1 A man hating sharp words and making his heart hard, will suddenly be broken and will not be made well again.
2 When the upright have power, the people are glad; when an evil man is ruler, grief comes on the people.
3 A man who is a lover of wisdom is a joy to his father: but he who goes in the company of loose women is a waster of wealth.
4 A king, by right rule, makes the land safe; but one full of desires makes it a waste.
5 A man who says smooth things to his neighbour is stretching out a net for his steps.
6 In the steps of an evil man there is a net for him, but the upright man gets away quickly and is glad.
7 The upright man gives attention to the cause of the poor: the evil-doer gives no thought to it.
8 Men of pride are the cause of violent acts in a town, but by wise men wrath is turned away.
9 If a wise man goes to law with a foolish man, he may be angry or laughing, but there will be no rest.
10 Men of blood are haters of the good man, and evil-doers go after his soul.
11 A foolish man lets out all his wrath, but a wise man keeps it back quietly.
12 If a ruler gives attention to false words, all his servants are evil-doers.
13 The poor man and his creditor come face to face: the Lord gives light to their eyes equally.
14 The king who is a true judge in the cause of the poor, will be safe for ever on the seat of his power.
15 The rod and sharp words give wisdom: but a child who is not guided is a cause of shame to his mother.
16 When evil men are in power, wrongdoing is increased; but the upright will have pleasure when they see their downfall.
17 Give your son training, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your soul.
18 Where there is no vision, the people are uncontrolled; but he who keeps the law will be happy.
19 A servant will not be trained by words; for though the sense of the words is clear to him, he will not give attention.
20 Have you seen a man who is quick with his tongue? There is more hope for a foolish man than for him.
21 If a servant is gently cared for from his early years, he will become a cause of sorrow in the end.
22 An angry man is the cause of fighting, and a man given to wrath does much wrong.
23 A man's pride will be the cause of his fall, but he who has a gentle spirit will get honour.
24 A man who takes part with a thief has hate for his soul; he is put under oath, but says nothing.
25 The fear of man is a cause of danger: but whoever puts his faith in the Lord will have a safe place on high.
26 The approval of a ruler is desired by great numbers: but the decision in a man's cause comes from the Lord.
27 An evil man is disgusting to the upright, and he who is upright is disgusting to evil-doers.