Proverbs

He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

1A person who is corrected again and again but stays stubborn will be broken all at once, with no way to be repaired.

2When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

2When good people are in charge, the people are glad. When wicked people rule, the people groan.

3Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

3A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad. A man who runs with prostitutes wastes his money.

4The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

4A king who rules with justice makes his country steady. A king who takes bribes tears it down.

5A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

5A man who flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for that neighbor's feet.

6In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

6An evil man gets trapped by his own wrongdoing. A good man sings and is glad.

7The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.

7A good person cares about what happens to the poor. A wicked person does not even want to know.

8Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.

8Men who mock stir a whole city into trouble. Wise men calm the anger down.

9If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

9When a wise man argues with a fool, the fool rages or laughs, and nothing ever gets settled.

10The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.

10Violent men hate a person who is honest. Those who do right want to protect his life.

11A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

11A fool lets out everything he feels. A wise man holds it back and keeps it in.

12If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

12If a ruler listens to lies, all the officials who serve him turn wicked.

13The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.

13The poor man and the cheating man have this in common: the LORD gives light to the eyes of both.

14The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

14If a king judges poor people fairly, his throne will stand firm for a very long time.

15The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

15Correction, both the stick and the strong word, teaches a child wisdom. A child left to himself shames his mother.

16When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

16When wicked people grow in number, wrongdoing grows too. But those who do right will see them fall.

17Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

17Correct your son, and he will give you peace. He will bring joy to your heart.

18Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

18Where there is no message from God, the people run wild. But the one who keeps the law is happy.

Note"Perish" in 1611 English here means to break loose, not to die. The picture is a people with no guidance throwing off all restraint.

19A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.

19Words alone will not correct a servant. He understands them, but he will not answer.

20Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

20Do you see a man who speaks before he thinks? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

21He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.

21If a man spoils his servant from childhood, in the end that servant will act like a son of the house.

Note"At the length" means in the end. The last Hebrew word of this verse is uncertain: some read it as the servant becoming an heir, others as the master ending up with trouble.

22An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

22An angry man starts fights. A man with a hot temper does wrong again and again.

23A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

23A man's pride will bring him down low. But honor comes to the person who is humble.

24Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

24Whoever helps a thief is his own worst enemy. He is called on to tell the truth, and he stays silent.

Note"Bewrayeth it not" means he does not tell. In court a public oath called on anyone who knew something to speak up, and this man keeps quiet.

25The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

25Being afraid of people is a trap. But whoever trusts the LORD is kept safe.

26Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.

26Many people try to get the ruler to like them. But real justice for a person comes from the LORD.

27An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

27People who do right cannot stand an unfair man. And wicked people cannot stand a man who lives honestly.