1 *[1 Sam. 2:25]; See ch. 1:24-27He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,

will suddenly be *[Isa. 30:14;Jer. 19:11] broken *ch. 6:15beyond healing.

2 When *ch. 11:10;28:12,28;[Esth. 8:15] the righteous increase, the people rejoice,

but when *[Esth. 3:15]the wicked rule, the people groan.

3 He who *[ch. 10:1;15:20;27:11;28:7] loves wisdom makes his father glad,

but *[ch. 5:9,10;6:26] a companion of prostitutes *Luke 15:13,30squanders his wealth.

4 By justice a king *[ver. 14; 2 Chr. 9:8]builds up the land,

but he who exacts gifts*29:4 Or who taxes heavily tears it down.

5 *ch. 28:23A man who flatters his neighbor

spreads *[Ps. 9:15]a net for his feet.

6 An evil man is *[Eccles. 9:12] ensnared in his transgression,

but a righteous man *[Ex. 15:1,21;Ps. 35:27]sings and rejoices.

7 A righteous man *Job 29:16;Ps. 41:1knows the rights of the poor;

a wicked man does not *[ch. 28:27]understand such knowledge.

8 *[ch. 11:11]Scoffers set a city aflame,

but the wise turn away wrath.

9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool,

the fool only rages and laughs, and there is *[Eccles. 4:6]no quiet.

10 Bloodthirsty men *[Gen. 4:5,8;1 John 3:12]hate one who is blameless

and seek the life of the upright.*29:10 Or but the upright seek his soul

11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit,

but a wise man quietly holds it back.

12 If a ruler listens to falsehood,

all his officials will be wicked.

13 The poor man and the oppressor *[ch. 22:2] meet together;

the Lord*Ps. 13:3;See Job 25:3gives light to the eyes of both.

14 If a king *[Ps. 72:4] faithfully judges the poor,

his throne will *[ver. 4]; See ch. 16:12be established forever.

15 *See ver. 17The rod and reproof give wisdom,

but a child left to himself *ch. 10:1;17:25brings shame to his mother.

16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases,

but *Ps. 37:34,36;58:10;91:8;92:11the righteous will look upon their downfall.

17 *See ch. 13:24Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;

he will give delight to your heart.

18 Where *1 Sam. 3:1;[2 Chr. 15:3;Ps. 74:9;Amos 8:11,12] there is no prophetic vision the people *Ex. 32:25cast off restraint,*29:18 Or the people are discouraged

but blessed is he who *Luke 11:28;John 13:17;James 1:25keeps the law.

19 By mere words a servant is not disciplined,

for though he understands, he will not respond.

20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?

*ch. 26:12There is more hope for a fool than for him.

21 Whoever pampers his servant from childhood

will in the end find him his heir.*29:21 The meaning of the Hebrew word rendered his heir is uncertain

22 *See ch. 15:18A man of wrath stirs up strife,

and one given to anger causes much transgression.

23 *ch. 17:19;2 Sam. 22:28;Matt. 23:12;James 4:6;See ch. 11:2One’s pride will bring him low,

*ch. 15:33;18:12but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

24 The partner of a thief *See ch. 8:36hates his own life;

*See Lev. 5:1he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.

25 *Luke 12:4;[Gen. 12:12,13;20:2,11;26:7;John 12:42,43]The fear of man lays a snare,

but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

26 Many *ch. 19:6seek the face of a ruler,

but it is from the Lord that a man *Isa. 49:4;1 Cor. 4:4,5gets justice.

27 *[2 Cor. 6:14]An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,

but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.