1
A wise judge disciplines his people, and the rule of one who understands shall be ordered.
2
As the judge of a people is, so are his ministers; as the ruler of a city is, so are all who dwell in it.
3
An undisciplined sovereign destroys his people, but a city is established through the understanding of its rulers.
4
Authority over the earth is in the hand of Yahuah, and at the appointed time He raises over it one who is useful.
5
The success of an ish is in the hand of Yahuah, and He places His honor upon the face of a scribe.
6
Do not hold rage against your companion for every wrong, and do nothing through works of pride.
7
Pride is hateful before Yahuah and Adam, and unrighteousness is an offense to both.
8
Sovereignty passes from nation to nation because of unrighteousness, pride, and wealth.
9
Why are dust and ashes proud, when even in life their inward parts decay?
10
A physician mocks at a prolonged sickness; an ish is sovereign today, and tomorrow he reaches completion.
11
When an Adam dies, he inherits creeping things, wild creatures, and worms.
12
The beginning of human pride is departure from Yahuah; one’s heart withdraws from the One who made him.
13
For the beginning of pride is sin, and one who takes hold of it rains down abomination. Therefore Yahuah brings astonishing calamities and overturns the proud unto completion.
14
Yahuah casts down the thrones of rulers and seats the gentle in their place.
15
Yahuah plucks up the roots of nations and plants the humble in their place.
16
Yahuah overturns the lands of nations and destroys them to the foundations of the earth.
17
He removes some of them and destroys them, and causes their remembrance to cease from the earth.
18
Pride was not created for Adam, nor furious anger for those born of ishah.
19
What seed is honorable? The seed of Adam. What seed is honorable? Those who fear Yahuah. What seed is dishonorable? The seed of Adam. What seed is dishonorable? Those who transgress the Commands.
20
Among brothers their leader is honored, and those who fear Yahuah are honored in His eyes. 22 Wealthy, honored, or poor, their boasting is the fear of Yahuah. 23 It is not right to dishonor an understanding poor man, nor fitting to honor a sinful ish. 24 A great one, a judge, and a ruler shall be honored, yet none of them is greater than one who fears Yahuah. 25 Free men shall minister to a wise servant, and an ish of knowledge shall not complain. 26 Do not display your cleverness while doing your work, and do not exalt yourself in a time of distress. 27 Better is one who works and abounds in all things than one who walks about honoring himself yet lacks bread. 28 My son, honor your being in gentleness, and give it honor according to its worth. 29 Who shall declare righteous the one who sins against his own being? And who shall honor one who dishonors his own life? 30 A poor man is honored because of his knowledge, and a wealthy man because of his wealth. 31 One honored in poverty—how much more in wealth? And one dishonored in wealth—how much more in poverty?