Proverbs 29:2–12

²Show me a righteous ruler and I will show you a happy people. Show me a wicked ruler and I will show you a miserable people.

³If you appreciate wisdom, your father will be proud of you.

It is a foolish waste to spend money on prostitutes.

⁴When the king is concerned with justice, the nation will be strong, but when he is only concerned with money, he will ruin his country.

⁵If you flatter your friends, you set a trap for yourself.^u

⁶Evil people are trapped in their own sins, while honest people are happy and free.

⁷A good person knows the rights of the poor, but wicked people cannot understand such things.

⁸People with no regard for others can throw whole cities into turmoil. Those who are wise keep things calm.

⁹When an intelligent person brings a lawsuit against a fool, the fool only laughs and becomes loud and abusive.

¹⁰Bloodthirsty people hate anyone who’s honest, but righteous people will protect^v the life of such a person.

¹¹Stupid people express their anger openly, but sensible people are patient and hold it back.

¹²If a ruler pays attention to false information, all his officials will be liars.