15 A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,
    but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.(A)

16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin,
    but the righteous will see their downfall.(B)

17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;
    they will bring you the delights you desire.(C)

18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
    but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.(D)

19 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words;
    though they understand, they will not respond.

20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
    There is more hope for a fool than for them.(E)

21 A servant pampered from youth
    will turn out to be insolent.

22 An angry person stirs up conflict,
    and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.(F)

23 Pride brings a person low,(G)
    but the lowly in spirit gain honor.(H)

24 The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies;
    they are put under oath and dare not testify.(I)

25 Fear(J) of man will prove to be a snare,
    but whoever trusts in the Lord(K) is kept safe.(L)

26 Many seek an audience with a ruler,(M)
    but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.(N)

27 The righteous detest the dishonest;
    the wicked detest the upright.(O)

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15 Correction and discipline are good for children. If they have their own way, they will make their mothers ashamed of them.

16 When evil people are in power, crime increases. But the righteous will live to see the downfall of such people.

17 Discipline your children and you can always be proud of them. They will never give you reason to be ashamed.

18 A nation without God's guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God's law!

19 (A)You cannot correct servants just by talking to them. They may understand you, but they will pay no attention.

20 There is more hope for a stupid fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.

21 If you give your servants everything they want from childhood on, some day they will take over everything you own.[a]

22 People with quick tempers cause a lot of quarreling and trouble.

23 Arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.

24 A thief's partner is his own worst enemy. He will be punished if he tells the truth in court, and God will curse him if he doesn't.

25 It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe.

26 Everybody wants the good will of the ruler, but only from the Lord can you get justice.

27 The righteous hate the wicked, and the wicked hate the righteous.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:21 they … own; or you will not be able to control them.

15 Correction and punishment make children wise,
    but those left alone will disgrace their mother.

16 When there are many wicked people, there is much sin,
    but those who do right will see them destroyed.

17 Correct your children, and you will be proud;
    they will give you satisfaction.

18 Where there is no word from God, people are uncontrolled,
    but those who obey what they have been taught are happy.

19 Words alone cannot correct a servant,
    because even if they understand, they won’t respond.

20 Do you see people who speak too quickly?
    There is more hope for a foolish person than for them.

21 If you spoil your servants when they are young,
    they will bring you grief later on.

22 An angry person causes trouble;
    a person with a quick temper sins a lot.

23 Pride will ruin people,
    but those who are humble will be honored.

24 Partners of thieves are their own worst enemies.
    If they have to testify in court, they are afraid to say anything.

25 Being afraid of people can get you into trouble,
    but if you trust the Lord, you will be safe.

26 Many people want to speak to a ruler,
    but justice comes only from the Lord.

27 Good people hate those who are dishonest,
    and the wicked hate those who are honest.

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15 The rod and reproof give wisdom,
    but a mother is disgraced by a neglected child.(A)
16 When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases,
    but the righteous will look upon their downfall.(B)
17 Discipline your children, and they will give you rest;
    they will give delight to your heart.(C)
18 Where there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint,
    but happy are those who keep the law.(D)
19 By mere words slaves are not disciplined,
    for though they understand, they will not give heed.
20 Do you see someone who is hasty in speech?
    There is more hope for a fool than for anyone like that.(E)
21 A slave pampered from childhood
    will come to a bad end.[a]
22 One given to anger stirs up strife,
    and the hothead causes much transgression.(F)
23 A person’s pride will bring humiliation,
    but one who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.(G)
24 To be a partner of a thief is to hate one’s own life;
    one hears the victim’s curse but discloses nothing.[b](H)
25 The fear of others[c] lays a snare,
    but one who trusts in the Lord is secure.(I)
26 Many seek the favor of a ruler,
    but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.(J)
27 The unjust are an abomination to the righteous,
    but the upright are an abomination to the wicked.

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Footnotes

  1. 29.21 Vg: Meaning of Heb uncertain
  2. 29.24 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  3. 29.25 Or human fear