Proverbs 29
English Standard Version
29 (A)He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
will suddenly be (B)broken (C)beyond healing.
2 When (D)the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
but when (E)the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 He who (F)loves wisdom makes his father glad,
but (G)a companion of prostitutes (H)squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king (I)builds up the land,
but he who exacts gifts[a] tears it down.
5 (J)A man who flatters his neighbor
spreads (K)a net for his feet.
6 An evil man is (L)ensnared in his transgression,
but a righteous man (M)sings and rejoices.
7 A righteous man (N)knows the rights of the poor;
a wicked man does not (O)understand such knowledge.
8 (P)Scoffers set a city aflame,
but the wise turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
the fool only rages and laughs, and there is (Q)no quiet.
10 Bloodthirsty men (R)hate one who is blameless
and seek the life of the upright.[b]
11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
but a wise man quietly holds it back.
12 If a ruler listens to falsehood,
all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor (S)meet together;
the Lord (T)gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king (U)faithfully judges the poor,
his throne will (V)be established forever.
15 (W)The rod and reproof give wisdom,
but a child left to himself (X)brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
but (Y)the righteous will look upon their downfall.
17 (Z)Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
he will give delight to your heart.
18 Where (AA)there is no prophetic vision the people (AB)cast off restraint,[c]
but blessed is he who (AC)keeps the law.
19 By mere words a servant is not disciplined,
for though he understands, he will not respond.
20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
(AD)There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 Whoever pampers his servant from childhood
will in the end find him his heir.[d]
22 (AE)A man of wrath stirs up strife,
and one given to anger causes much transgression.
23 (AF)One's pride will bring him low,
(AG)but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
24 The partner of a thief (AH)hates his own life;
(AI)he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
25 (AJ)The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
26 Many (AK)seek the face of a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that a man (AL)gets justice.
27 (AM)An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:4 Or who taxes heavily
- Proverbs 29:10 Or but the upright seek his soul
- Proverbs 29:18 Or the people are discouraged
- Proverbs 29:21 The meaning of the Hebrew word rendered his heir is uncertain
Proverbs 29
New International Version - UK
29 Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes
will suddenly be destroyed – without remedy.
2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;
when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king gives a country stability,
but those who are greedy for[a] bribes tear it down.
5 Those who flatter their neighbours
are spreading nets for their feet.
6 Evildoers are snared by their own sin,
but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.
7 The righteous care about justice for the poor,
but the wicked have no such concern.
8 Mockers stir up a city,
but the wise turn away anger.
9 If a wise person goes to court with a fool,
the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.
10 The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity
and seek to kill the upright.
11 Fools give full vent to their rage,
but the wise bring calm in the end.
12 If a ruler listens to lies,
all his officials become wicked.
13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common:
the Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.
14 If a king judges the poor with fairness,
his throne will be established for ever.
15 A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,
but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.
16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin,
but the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;
they will bring you the delights you desire.
18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.
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.
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.
23 Pride brings a person low,
but the lowly in spirit gain honour.
24 The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies;
they are put under oath and dare not testify.
25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
26 Many seek an audience with a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.
27 The righteous detest the dishonest;
the wicked detest the upright.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:4 Or who give
Proverbs 29
American Standard Version
29 He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck
Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2 When the righteous [a]are increased, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh.
3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father;
But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance.
4 The king by justice establisheth the land;
But [b]he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it.
5 A man that flattereth his neighbor
Spreadeth a net for his steps.
6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare;
But the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor;
The wicked [c]hath not understanding to know it.
8 Scoffers set a city in a flame;
But wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man,
[d]Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest.
10 The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect;
[e]And as for the upright, they seek his life.
11 A fool uttereth all his [f]anger;
But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it.
12 If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood,
All his servants are wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together;
Jehovah lighteneth the eyes of them both.
14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor,
His throne shall be established for ever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom;
But a child left to himself causeth shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked [g]are increased, transgression increaseth;
But the righteous shall look upon their fall.
17 Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest;
Yea, he will give delight unto thy soul.
18 Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint;
But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
19 A servant will not be corrected by words;
For though he understand, he will not [h]give heed.
20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his [i]words?
There is more hope of a fool than of him.
21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child
Shall have him become [j]a son at the last.
22 An angry man stirreth up strife,
And a wrathful man aboundeth in transgression.
23 A man’s pride shall bring him low;
But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor.
24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul;
He heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing.
25 The fear of man bringeth a snare;
But whoso putteth his trust in Jehovah [k]shall be safe.
26 Many seek the ruler’s favor;
But a man’s judgment cometh from Jehovah.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous;
And he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:2 Or, are in authority
- Proverbs 29:4 Or, he that imposeth tribute. Hebrew a man of offerings.
- Proverbs 29:7 Or, understandeth not knowledge
- Proverbs 29:9 Or, He rageth and laugheth, and there is no rest
- Proverbs 29:10 Or, But the upright care for his soul
- Proverbs 29:11 Hebrew spirit.
- Proverbs 29:16 Or, are in authority
- Proverbs 29:19 Hebrew answer.
- Proverbs 29:20 Or, business
- Proverbs 29:21 The meaning of the word is doubtful.
- Proverbs 29:25 Hebrew shall be set on high.
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