Proverbs 29
Christian Standard Bible
29 One who becomes stiff-necked,
after many reprimands
will be shattered instantly—
beyond recovery.(A)
2 When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, people groan.(B)
3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,(C)
but one who consorts with prostitutes destroys his wealth.(D)
4 By justice a king brings stability to a land,(E)
but a person who demands “contributions”[a]
demolishes it.(F)
5 A person who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet.(G)
7 The righteous person knows the rights[b] of the poor,(J)
but the wicked one does not understand these concerns.
8 Mockers inflame a city,(K)
but the wise turn away anger.
9 If a wise person goes to court with a fool,
there will be ranting and raving but no resolution.[c](L)
12 If a ruler listens to lies,(P)
all his officials will be wicked.
14 A king who judges the poor with fairness—
his throne will be established forever.(R)
15 A rod of correction imparts wisdom,(S)
but a youth left to himself[g]
is a disgrace to his mother.(T)
16 When the wicked increase, rebellion increases,
but the righteous will see their downfall.(U)
17 Discipline your child,(V) and it will bring you peace of mind
and give you delight.
18 Without revelation[h](W) people run wild,(X)
but one who follows divine instruction will be happy.(Y)
19 A servant cannot be disciplined by words;
though he understands, he doesn’t respond.(Z)
21 A servant pampered from his youth
will become arrogant[i] later on.
24 To be a thief’s partner is to hate oneself;
he hears the curse but will not testify.(AF)
27 An unjust person is detestable to the righteous,
and one whose way is upright
is detestable to the wicked.(AK)
Footnotes
- 29:4 The Hb word for contributions usually refers to offerings in worship.
- 29:7 Lit justice
- 29:9 Lit rest
- 29:10 Or person, and seek the life of the upright
- 29:11 Lit spirit
- 29:13 Lit oppressor meet
- 29:15 Lit youth sent away
- 29:18 Lit vision
- 29:21 Hb obscure
- 29:22 Lit a master of rage
- 29:25 Lit raised high
Proverbs 29
New American Standard Bible 1995
Warnings and Instructions
29 A man who hardens his neck after (A)much reproof
Will (B)suddenly be broken [a]beyond remedy.
2 When the (C)righteous [b]increase, the people rejoice,
But when a wicked man rules, people groan.
3 A man who (D)loves wisdom makes his father glad,
But he who (E)keeps company with harlots wastes his wealth.
4 The (F)king gives stability to the land by justice,
But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.
5 A man who (G)flatters his neighbor
Is spreading a net for his steps.
6 By transgression an evil man is (H)ensnared,
But the righteous (I)sings and rejoices.
7 The (J)righteous [c]is concerned for the rights of the poor,
The wicked does not understand such [d]concern.
8 Scorners (K)set a city aflame,
But (L)wise men turn away anger.
9 When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man,
[e]The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.
10 Men of (M)bloodshed hate the blameless,
But the upright [f]are concerned for his life.
11 A (N)fool [g]always loses his temper,
But a (O)wise man holds it back.
12 If a (P)ruler pays attention to falsehood,
All his ministers become wicked.
13 The (Q)poor man and the oppressor [h]have this in common:
The Lord gives (R)light to the eyes of both.
14 If a (S)king judges the poor with truth,
His (T)throne will be established forever.
15 The (U)rod and reproof give wisdom,
But a child [i]who gets his own way (V)brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked [j]increase, transgression increases;
But the (W)righteous will see their fall.
17 (X)Correct your son, and he will give you comfort;
He will also [k](Y)delight your soul.
18 Where there is (Z)no [l]vision, the people (AA)are unrestrained,
But (AB)happy is he who keeps the law.
19 A slave will not be instructed by words alone;
For though he understands, there will be no response.
20 Do you see a man who is (AC)hasty in his words?
There is (AD)more hope for a fool than for him.
21 He who pampers his slave from childhood
Will in the end find him to be a son.
22 An (AE)angry man stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
23 A man’s (AF)pride will bring him low,
But a (AG)humble spirit will obtain honor.
24 He who is a partner with a thief hates his own life;
He (AH)hears the oath but tells nothing.
25 The (AI)fear of man [m]brings a snare,
But he who (AJ)trusts in the Lord will be exalted.
26 (AK)Many seek the ruler’s [n]favor,
But (AL)justice for man comes from the Lord.
27 An (AM)unjust man is abominable to the righteous,
And he who is (AN)upright in the way is abominable to the wicked.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:1 Lit and there is no remedy
- Proverbs 29:2 Or become great
- Proverbs 29:7 Lit knows the cause
- Proverbs 29:7 Lit knowledge
- Proverbs 29:9 Lit He
- Proverbs 29:10 Lit seek his soul
- Proverbs 29:11 Lit sends forth all his spirit
- Proverbs 29:13 Lit meet together
- Proverbs 29:15 Lit left to himself
- Proverbs 29:16 Or become great
- Proverbs 29:17 Lit give delight to
- Proverbs 29:18 Or revelation
- Proverbs 29:25 Lit gives
- Proverbs 29:26 Lit face
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
