Righteous and Wicked Leadership
Study note
When righteous people are in charge, everyone is happy. When the wicked rule, the people groan. A person who flatters their neighbor is setting a trap. Mockers set a city on fire with conflict, but wise people calm things down. A person who hardens their neck when corrected will suddenly be broken beyond repair.
1 Someone who keeps ignoring correction after being warned over and over will suddenly be broken. There will be no remedy for it. He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2 When righteous leaders are in charge, everyone is happy. When wicked leaders are in charge, everyone suffers. When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3 A child who goes after wisdom makes their father very proud. But a child who spends time with bad people throws their money away. Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
4 A king who governs with justice keeps his nation strong, but a king who takes bribes tears his nation apart. The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
5 When someone flatters you, they are laying a trap right at your feet. A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
6 An evil person gets tangled in the net of their own sin, but a righteous person walks free, singing as they go. In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7 Righteous people truly care that poor people get fair treatment. But wicked people do not care at all. The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
8 Mockers can stir up a whole city into chaos. But wise people know how to calm things down. Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
Justice for the Poor and Discipline for Children
Study note
When a wise person argues with a fool, whether they rage or laugh, there is no resolution. The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked do not. Discipline and correction give wisdom, but a child left to themselves brings shame to their mother. Correct your child and they will bring you peace and delight. Where there is no vision or revelation, the people cast off restraint.
9 When a wise person tries to settle a dispute with a fool, the fool screams and laughs and nothing gets resolved. If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10 Violent people hate anyone with honesty. They want to destroy those who do right. The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11 A fool dumps out every angry thought the second they feel it, but a wise person holds their emotions in check. A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
12 When a leader pays attention to lies, every person working for them turns corrupt. If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
13 The poor person and the person who exploits them have something in common: the Lord is the one who gave both of them eyes to see. The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
14 A king who makes sure even the poorest people get fair treatment will have a kingdom that stands for generations. The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
15 Correction and rules help a child grow wise. But letting a child do whatever they want brings shame to their mother. The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
16 When wicked people multiply, wrongdoing skyrockets. But righteous people will live long enough to watch them fall. When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
17 Set your children straight now and they will bring you comfort and deep satisfaction later. Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
Fear of Man Versus Trust in God
Study note
A hasty speaker is worse off than a fool. An angry person stirs up conflict. A person's pride brings them low, but the humble are lifted up. Verse 25 is one of the most important proverbs about courage: the fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. The righteous and the wicked will always be at odds with each other.
18 When people have no word from God to guide them, they run wild. But anyone who lives by God's instructions will find true happiness. Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
19 You cannot change a servant's behavior with words alone. They might hear you perfectly well, but they will not change what they do. A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
20 See someone who fires off words without thinking? A fool has a better shot at learning than that person does. Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
21 If you spoil a servant from the start, they will eventually expect to be treated like an heir. He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
22 An angry person starts one fight after another. Someone with a hot temper piles up a mountain of sins. An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
23 Pride will bring a person crashing down. But a humble spirit opens the door to honor. A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
24 Working alongside a thief is destroying your own life. You might be called to testify under oath, but you will be too afraid to speak up. Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
25 Being afraid of what others think is a trap that holds you down. But trusting in the Lord sets you free. The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
26 Lots of people try to win favor from those in power, but true justice only comes from the Lord. Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.
27 Good people are sickened by those who do wrong. Wicked people hate those who live with honesty. An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.