New Living Translation

1 Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism<br>will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.<br> 2 When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice.<br>But when the wicked are in power, they groan.<br> 3 The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,<br>but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted.<br> 4 A just king gives stability to his nation,<br>but one who demands bribes destroys it.<br> 5 To flatter friends<br>is to lay a trap for their feet.<br> 6 Evil people are trapped by sin,<br>but the righteous escape, shouting for joy.<br> 7 The godly care about the rights of the poor;<br>the wicked don’t care at all.<br> 8 Mockers can get a whole town agitated,<br>but the wise will calm anger.<br> 9 If a wise person takes a fool to court,<br>there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction.<br> 10 The bloodthirsty hate blameless people,<br>but the upright seek to help them.<br> 11 Fools vent their anger,<br>but the wise quietly hold it back.<br> 12 If a ruler pays attention to liars,<br>all his advisers will be wicked.<br> 13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common —<br>the LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.<br> 14 If a king judges the poor fairly,<br>his throne will last forever.<br> 15 To discipline a child produces wisdom,<br>but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.<br> 16 When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes,<br>but the godly will live to see their downfall.<br> 17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind<br>and will make your heart glad.<br> 18 When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.<br>But whoever obeys the law is joyful.<br> 19 Words alone will not discipline a servant;<br>the words may be understood, but they are not heeded.<br> 20 There is more hope for a fool<br>than for someone who speaks without thinking.<br> 21 A servant pampered from childhood<br>will become a rebel.<br> 22 An angry person starts fights;<br>a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.<br> 23 Pride ends in humiliation,<br>while humility brings honor.<br> 24 If you assist a thief, you only hurt yourself.<br>You are sworn to tell the truth, but you dare not testify.<br> 25 Fearing people is a dangerous trap,<br>but trusting the LORD means safety.<br> 26 Many seek the ruler’s favor,<br>but justice comes from the LORD.<br> 27 The righteous despise the unjust;<br>the wicked despise the godly.<br>