1 One who stiffens his neck after many rebukes {tokhachot: corrective warnings} will suddenly be broken, and there will be no remedy {marpe: restoration potential}.
2 When the righteous {tsaddiqim: morally upright group} are many, the people rejoice; but when a wicked person rules, the people groan {ye’anach: sigh in distress}.
3 A man who loves wisdom {chokhmah: discerning insight} makes his father rejoice, but one who keeps company with prostitutes {zonot: immoral companions} destroys his wealth.
4 A king, through justice {mishpat: rightful governance}, establishes the land; but a man of gifts {terumot: corrupt offerings} tears it down.
5 A man who flatters {machaliq: smooths with words} his neighbor sets out a net {reshet: entangling device} for his feet.
6 In the transgression {pesh’a: deliberate rebellion} of an evil man there is a snare {mokesh: hidden trap}, but the righteous will rejoice and be glad.
7 The righteous {tsaddiq: just} know the judgment of the poor, but the wicked do not understand knowledge {da'at: discernment}.
8 Men of mockery {latson: insulting scorn} inflame a city, but wise men turn back wrath {af: intense anger}.
9 If a wise man enters into judgment {nishpat: legal dispute} with a foolish man, whether he rages or laughs, there is no rest {nachat: tranquility}.
10 Men of blood {anshei damim: violent murderers} hate the blameless, but the upright {yesharim: morally righteous} seek his soul.
11 A fool brings out all his spirit {ruach: inner impulses}, but a wise man quietly holds it back {be'akhor: held in check}.
12 A ruler who listens to falsehood {sheqer: deceptive claims}—all his servants are wicked {resha’im: morally culpable}.
13 The poor man and the oppressor {t'kakhim: one who acts with deceit or oppression} meet together; the LORD {YHWH, Universal Sovereign} gives light to the eyes of both.
14 A king who judges the poor with truth{emet: reliable fairness}, his throne will be established{yikon: made firm, guaranteed} forever.
15 The rod {shevet: discipline tool} and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother {immo: maternal parent}.
16 When the wicked increase, transgression also increases; but the righteous {tsaddiqim: morally upright} will see their fall {mapaltam: complete collapse}.
17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest {yaniach: bring tranquility}; and he will give delights {maadan: pleasurable things} to your soul.
18 Where there is no vision, the people become unrestrained, but whoever keeps the law {torah: divine instruction} is blessed {ashrehu: joyful recipient}.
19 By words, a servant will not be disciplined {yivaser: be corrected}, for though he understands, there is no response {maaneh: verbal reply}.
20 Have you seen a man who is hasty {ats: prompt and rash} in his words? There is more hope for a fool {ksil: one lacking moral judgment} than for him.
21 One who pampers {mefanneq: habitual nurturer} his servant from youth will, in the end, have him become an heir {manon: household heir}.
22 A man of anger{af: settled indignation} stirs up strife, and one given to fury has abundant transgression{pasha: willful rebellion}.
23 A man’s pride {gaavat: excessive self-regard} will bring him low, but the one humble in spirit will be upheld in honor {kavod: dignity and public esteem}.
24 Whoever partners with a thief hates his own soul {nefesh: inner life}; he hears the oath {alah: solemn curse} yet does not report it.
25 The fear {kherdat: anxious dread} of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD {YHWH, Deliverer} will be set high.
26 Many seek the favor of a ruler, but from the LORD {YHWH, Supreme Arbiter} comes the judgment of a person {ish: individual human}.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous {tsaddiqim: those who do what is right}, and one who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked {rasha: morally corrupt person}.