2When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;
when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4By justice a king gives a country stability,
but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down.
5Whoever flatters his neighbor
is spreading a net for his feet.
6An evil man is snared by his own sin,
but a righteous one can sing and be glad.
7The righteous care about justice for the poor,
but the wicked have no such concern.
8Mockers stir up a city,
but wise men turn away anger.
9If a wise man goes to court with a fool,
the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.
10Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity
and seek to kill the upright.
11A fool gives full vent to his anger,
but a wise man keeps himself under control.
12If a ruler listens to lies,
all his officials become wicked.
13The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
The Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.
14If a king judges the poor with fairness,
his throne will always be secure.
15The rod of correction imparts wisdom,
but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
16When the wicked thrive, so does sin,
but the righteous will see their downfall.
17Discipline your son, and he will give you peace;
he will bring delight to your soul.
18Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
but blessed is he who keeps the law.
19A servant cannot be corrected by mere words;
though he understands, he will not respond.
20Do you see a man who speaks in haste?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21If a man pampers his servant from youth,
he will bring grief in the end.
22An angry man stirs up dissension,
and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.
23A man’s pride brings him low,
but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.
24The accomplice of a thief is his own enemy;
he is put under oath and dare not testify.
25Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
26Many seek an audience with a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that man gets justice.
27The righteous detest the dishonest;
the wicked detest the upright.
