Proverbs 29:6-22

New International Reader's Version

⁶ Sinful people are trapped by their own sin.
    But godly people shout for joy and are glad.

⁷ Those who do what is right want to treat poor people fairly.
    But those who do what is wrong don’t care about the poor.

⁸ Those who make fun of others stir up a city.
    But wise people turn anger away.

⁹ Suppose a wise person goes to court with a foolish person.
    Then the foolish person gets mad and pokes fun, and there is no peace.

¹⁰ Murderers hate honest people.
    They try to kill those who do what is right.

¹¹ Foolish people let their anger run wild.
    But wise people keep themselves under control.

¹² If rulers listen to lies,
    all their officials become evil.

¹³ The Lord gives sight to the eyes of poor people and those who treat others badly.
    That’s what they both have in common.

¹⁴ If a king judges poor people fairly,
    his throne will always be secure.

¹⁵ If a child is corrected, they become wise.
    But a child who is not corrected brings shame to their mother.

¹⁶ When those who do wrong grow stronger, so does sin.
    But those who do right will see them destroyed.

¹⁷ If you correct your children, they will give you peace.
    They will bring you the delights you desire.

¹⁸ Where there is no message from God, people don’t control themselves.
    But blessed is the one who obeys wisdom’s instruction.

¹⁹ Servants can’t be corrected only by words.
    Even if they understand, they won’t obey.

²⁰ Have you seen someone who speaks without thinking?
    There is more hope for foolish people than for that person.

²¹ A servant who has been spoiled from youth
    will have no respect for you later on.

²² An angry person stirs up fights.
    And a person with a bad temper commits many sins.