Proverbs

⁷The [consistently] righteous man knows and cares for the rights of the poor, but the wicked man has no interest in such knowledge. [Job 29:16; 31:13; Ps. 41:1.] ⁸Scoffers set a city afire [inflaming the minds of the people], but wise men turn away wrath. ⁹If a wise man has an argument with a foolish man, the fool only rages or laughs, and there is no rest. ¹⁰The bloodthirsty hate the blameless man, but the upright care for and seek [to save] his life. [Gen. 4:5, 8; I John 3:12.] ¹¹A [self-confident] fool utters all his anger, but a wise man holds it back and stills it. ¹²If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will become wicked. ¹³The poor man and the oppressor meet together–the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.