¹⁵ But He saves from ^(A)the sword of their mouth,
And ^(B)the needy from the hand of the strong.

¹⁷ Shall ^(A)one who hates justice ^[a]rule?
And ^(B)will you condemn the righteous mighty One,

² When the ^(A)righteous ^[a]increase, the people are glad,
But when a wicked man rules, people groan.
³ A man who ^(B)loves wisdom makes his father glad,
But he who ^(C)befriends harlots destroys his wealth.
⁴ By justice the ^(D)king causes the land to stand,
But a man of bribes tears it down.
⁵ A man who ^(E)flatters his neighbor
Is spreading a net for his steps.
⁶ By transgression an evil man is ^(F)ensnared,
But the righteous ^(G)sings with joy and is glad.
⁷ The ^(H)righteous knows the cause of the poor,
The wicked does not understand that knowledge.
⁸ Scoffers ^[b](I)set a city aflame,
But ^(J)wise men turn away anger.
⁹ When a wise man is brought into judgment with a man who is an ignorant fool,
^[c]The ignorant fool both rages and laughs, and there is no rest.
¹⁰ Men of ^(K)bloodshed hate the blameless,
But the upright seek the well-being of his soul.
¹¹ A ^(L)fool ^[d]lets out all of his spirit,
But a ^(M)wise man holds it back.
¹² If a ^(N)ruler pays attention to a lying word,
All his ministers become wicked.