1A wise magistrate educates his people,

and the rule of an intelligent person is well ordered.

2As the people's judge is, so are his officials;

as the ruler of the city is, so are all its inhabitants.

3An undisciplined king ruins his people,

but a city becomes fit to live in through the understanding of its rulers.

4The government of the earth is in the hand of the Lord,

and over it he will raise up the right leader for the time.

5Human success is in the hand of the Lord,

and it is he who confers honour upon the lawgiver.10.5 Heb: Gk scribe

The Sin of Pride

6Do not get angry with your neighbour for every injury,

and do not resort to acts of insolence.

7Arrogance is hateful to the Lord and to mortals,

and injustice is outrageous to both.

8Sovereignty passes from nation to nation

on account of injustice and insolence and wealth.10.8 Other ancient authorities add here or after verse 9a, Nothing is more wicked than one who loves money, for such a person puts his own soul up for sale.

9How can dust and ashes be proud?

Even in life the human body decays.10.9 Heb: Meaning of Gk uncertain

10A long illness baffles the physician;10.10 Heb Lat: Meaning of Gk uncertain

the king of today will die tomorrow.

11For when one is dead

he inherits maggots and vermin10.11 Heb: Gk wild animals and worms.

12The beginning of human pride is to forsake the Lord;

the heart has withdrawn from its Maker.

13For the beginning of pride is sin,

and the one who clings to it pours out abominations.

Therefore the Lord brings upon them unheard-of calamities,

and destroys them completely.

14The Lord overthrows the thrones of rulers,

and enthrones the lowly in their place.

15The Lord plucks up the roots of the nations,10.15 Other ancient authorities read proud nations

and plants the humble in their place.

16The Lord lays waste the lands of the nations,

and destroys them to the foundations of the earth.

17He removes some of them and destroys them,

and erases the memory of them from the earth.

18Pride was not created for human beings,

or violent anger for those born of women.

Persons Deserving Honour

19Whose offspring are worthy of honour?

Human offspring.

Whose offspring are worthy of honour?

Those who fear the Lord.

Whose offspring are unworthy of honour?

Human offspring.

Whose offspring are unworthy of honour?

Those who break the commandments.

20Among family members their leader is worthy of honour,

but those who fear the Lord are worthy of honour in his eyes.10.20 Other ancient authorities add as verse 21, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of acceptance; obduracy and pride are the beginning of rejection.

22The rich, and the eminent, and the poor—

their glory is the fear of the Lord.

23It is not right to despise one who is intelligent but poor,

and it is not proper to honour one who is sinful.

24The prince and the judge and the ruler are honoured,

but none of them is greater than one who fears the Lord.

25Free citizens will serve a wise servant,

and an intelligent person will not complain.

Concerning Humility

26Do not make a display of your wisdom when you do your work,

and do not boast when you are in need.

27Better is the worker who has goods in plenty

than the boaster who lacks bread.

28My child, honour yourself with humility,

and give yourself the esteem you deserve.

29Who will acquit those who condemn10.29 Heb: Gk sin against themselves?

And who will honour those who dishonour themselves?10.29 Heb Lat: Gk their own life

30The poor are honoured for their knowledge,

while the rich are honoured for their wealth.

31One who is honoured in poverty, how much more in wealth!

And one dishonoured in wealth, how much more in poverty!