1If you get more stubborn every time you are corrected, one day you will be crushed and never recover.

2Show me a righteous ruler and I will show you a happy people. Show me a wicked ruler and I will show you a miserable people.

3If you appreciate wisdom, your parents will be proud of you.

It is a foolish waste to spend money on prostitutes.

4When the king is concerned with justice, the nation will be strong, but when he is only concerned with money, he will ruin his country.

5If you flatter your friends, you set a trap for yourself.+

6Evil people are trapped in their own sins, while honest people are happy and free.

7A good person knows the rights of the poor, but wicked people cannot understand such things.

8People with no regard for others can throw whole cities into turmoil. Those who are wise keep things calm.

9When an intelligent person brings a lawsuit against a fool, the fool only laughs and becomes loud and abusive.

10Bloodthirsty people hate anyone who's honest, but righteous people will protect+ the life of such a person.

11Stupid people express their anger openly, but sensible people are patient and hold it back.

12If a ruler pays attention to false information, all his officials will be liars.

13A poor person and his oppressor have this in common—the Lord gave eyes to both of them.

14If a king defends the rights of the poor, he will rule for a long time.

15Correction and discipline are good for children. If they have their own way, they will make their mothers ashamed of them.

16When evil people are in power, crime increases. But the righteous will live to see the downfall of such people.

17Discipline your children and you can always be proud of them. They will never give you reason to be ashamed.

18A nation without God's guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God's law!

19 You cannot correct servants just by talking to them. They may understand you, but they will pay no attention.

20There is more hope for a stupid fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.

21If you give your servants everything they want from childhood on, some day they will take over everything you own.+

22People with quick tempers cause a lot of quarreling and trouble.

23Arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.

24A thief's partner is his own worst enemy. He will be punished if he tells the truth in court, and God will curse him if he doesn't.

25It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe.

26Everybody wants the good will of the ruler, but only from the Lord can you get justice.

27The righteous hate the wicked, and the wicked hate the righteous.