10 1 h iA wise governori jinstructethj his people;

And the rule of one that is discerning kis well-orderedk.

2 As is the governor lof a peoplel, so are his officers;

And as is the head of a city, msom are its inhabitants.

3 nA reckless kingn ruineth ohis peopleo,

But a city becometh populous through pthe prudence of its princesp.

4 qThe rule over the world is in the hands of God,

And at the right time He setteth over it rone that is worthyr.

5 qIn the hand of God is rrthe rule of every manrr,

And He investeth sthe commanders with his dignity.

(h) 10:6–18. Pride in rulers ruins whole nations

(= 2 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 4 + 1 distichs).

6 tRequite not [evil to] thy neighbourt for any wrong,

uAnd walk not in the way of prideu.

HA 7 vPride is hateful to the Lord and to men,

wAnd before both oppression is an offencew.

8 Sovereignty is transferred from nation to nation

x On account of the violence of pridex.

9 How should he that is dust and ashes vaunt himselfy,

z He whose entrails rot (even) during his lifez?

10 a A suspicion (?) of disease defieth (?) the physiciana—

bTo-day a kingb, and to-morrow che shall fallc!

11 When a man dieth he inheriteth

d Worm and maggot, lice and creeping thingsd.

12 The beginning of pride is ewhen a man becometh shamelesse,

And fhis heartf departeth from his Maker.

HA 13 gFor sin is the rallying-place of insolenceg,

hAnd its source overfloweth with depravityh.

For this cause ihath God stricken such an one marvellouslyi,

And smitten him to the uttermost.

14 jThe throne of the proudj God overthroweth,

kAnd settethk the humble in their placel.

16 mThe roots of the proudm God nsweepeth awayn,

oAnd extirpateth them to the foundations of the eartho.

17 pHe teareth them out of the earthp qand rooteth them upq,

And extinguisheth their memory rfrom among menr.

18 Insolence swas not the heritage of mans,

tNor savage wratht (apportioned) to the earth-born.

(i) 10:19–25. Honour to whom honour is due

(= 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 distichs).

19 An honourable race is what? The race of men!

G uAn honourable race is that which feareth God.

G A despicable race is what? The race of menu!

HA vA despicable race is that which transgresseth the commandmentv.

20 Among brethren their head is honoured,

And he that feareth God aamong his own peoplea.

22 b cSojourner and stranger, alien and poor manc—

Their glory is the fear of God.

23 A poor man that hath understanding is not to be despised,

Nor is dany man of violenced to be honoured.

24 ePrincee, ruler and governor are honoured,

fBut none is greater than he that feareth Godf.

25 gNobles will serve a servant that hath understandingg,

hAnd a wise man will not complainh.

(j) 10:26–29. The wrong and the right kind of self-esteem

(= 2 + 2 distichs).

26 iPlay not the wise mani when thou doest thy business,

jAnd glorify not thyselfj in the time of thy need.

27 Better is he that worketh kand hath wealth in abundancek,

Than he that glorifieth himself land lacketh sustenancel.

HA 28 My son, glorify thy soul in humility,

mAnd give it discretionm nsuch as befitteth itn.

29 o pWho will justify him that condemneth himselfp?

And who will honour him that dishonoureth qhimselfq?

(a) 10:30–11:1. Wisdom rather than mere wealth brings honour

(= 3 distichs).

30 There is a poor man that is honoured on account of his wisdom,

rAnd there isr he that is honoured on account of his wealth.

31 sHe that is honoured (in his poverty)—how much more in his wealths!

And he that is despicable in his wealth—how much more t(in his poverty)t!