When honest people enforce the law, there is joy (v. 2), and society is established with security and order (v. 4). A few leaders who scoff at the law can endanger things, so the wise must be ready to act (v. 8). Of course, even a wise leader cannot change some people (v. 9).
Leaders must act on the basis of truth and not lies (vv. 12, 14). The foundation for law is God’s truth, and where that is preached and obeyed, there will be happiness (v. 18). If leaders try to please people, or if they fear people, they will get into trouble; but if they obey the Lord, He will bless them (vv. 25–27).
Everybody must practice self-control in feelings (vv. 11, 22) and words (v. 20). We may not be able to run the government, but we can manage the kingdom within our own hearts (Prov. 16:32; 25:28).
Bribery
Bribery erodes the very foundation of the law and of the land (Prov. 29:4) and must be hated as an enemy (Prov. 15:27). It perverts justice (Prov. 17:23), provides offices for dishonest people (Prov. 18:16), purchases favors (Prov. 19:6), and pacifies people without solving problems (Prov. 21:14). The person whose integrity is for sale is not fit to govern.
