The Flourishing of the Righteous

1A man often reproved hardening the neck,

suddenly will be broken, and there is no healing.

2With the increasing of the righteous ones, the people rejoice;

and with the ruling of a wicked one, the people groan.

3A man loving wisdom gladdens his father,

and a companion of prostitutes destroys wealth.

4A king by justice establishes the land,

and a man of contributions† tears it down.

5A man taking a portion over his neighbor

spreads out a net over his steps.

6By transgression, a man of evil is snared,

and a righteous one sings out and rejoices.

7A righteous one knows the cause of the poor;

a wicked one does not does understand knowledge.

8Men of scorning inflame a city,

and wise men turn back anger.

9A wise man enters into judgment with a foolish man,

and he trembles and laughs, and there is no rest.

10Men of blood hate a blameless one,

and upright ones seek his soul.†

11A fool brings out all his spirit,

and a wise one soothes it backward.

12One ruling listening to words of deception,

all his ministers are wicked.

13The poor one and the man of oppression meet together:

YHWH gives light to the eyes of both of them.

14A king judging the poor with truth,

his throne will be established forever.

15A rod and rebuke give wisdom,

and a child let away brings shame to his mother.

16With the increase of the wicked, transgression increases,

and righteous ones will look on their fall.

17Discipline your son, and he will give you rest,

and he will give delights to your soul.

18When there is no vision, the people are let loose,

and the one keeping the Law is blessed.

19With words a servant will not be disciplined;

for he understands, yet he will not respond.

20Look upon a man being hasty in his words—

the hope of a fool is more than his.

21One is pampering his servant from youth,

and his end will be insolence.

22A man of anger stirs up strife,

and a man of rage, much transgression.

23The pride of man will bring him low,

and the one lowly of spirit will grasp honor.

24One having a portion with a thief is hating his own soul;

he hears the curse, and does not testify.

25The fear of man sets a snare,

and one trusting in YHWH will be set on high.

26Many are seeking the favor of a ruler,

and from YHWH is justice for a man.

27A man of injustice is an abomination to righteous ones,

and the one upright in his way is an abomination to a wicked one.