Warnings and Instructions

29 A person [a]often (A)rebuked who [b]becomes obstinate
Will (B)suddenly be broken [c]beyond remedy.
When the (C)righteous [d]increase, the people rejoice,
But when a wicked person rules, people groan.
A man who (D)loves wisdom makes his father glad,
But he who (E)involves himself with prostitutes wastes his wealth.
The (F)king gives stability to the land by justice,
But a person who takes bribes ruins it.
A man who (G)flatters his neighbor
Is spreading a net for his steps.
By wrongdoing an evil person is (H)ensnared,
But the righteous (I)sings and rejoices.
The (J)righteous [e]is concerned for the rights of the poor;
The wicked does not understand such [f]concern.
Arrogant people (K)inflame a city,
But (L)wise people turn away anger.
When a wise person has a controversy with a foolish person,
[g]The foolish person either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.
10 People of (M)bloodshed hate the blameless person,
But the upright [h]are concerned for his life.
11 A (N)fool [i]always loses his temper,
But a (O)wise person holds it back.
12 If a (P)ruler pays attention to falsehood,
All his ministers become wicked.
13 The (Q)poor person and the oppressor [j]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 a rebuke give wisdom,
But a child [k]who gets his own way (V)brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked [l]increase, wrongdoing increases;
But the (W)righteous will see their downfall.
17 (X)Correct your son, and he will give you comfort;
He will also [m](Y)delight your soul.
18 Where there is (Z)no [n]vision, the people (AA)are unrestrained,
But (AB)happy is one 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 person who is (AC)hasty with his words?
There is (AD)more hope for a fool than for him.
21 One who pampers his slave from childhood
Will in the end find him to be rebellious.
22 An (AE)angry person stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered person abounds in wrongdoing.
23 A person’s (AF)pride will bring him low,
But a (AG)humble spirit will obtain honor.
24 One 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 [o]brings a snare,
But one who (AJ)trusts in the Lord will be protected.
26 (AK)Many seek the ruler’s [p]favor,
But (AL)justice for mankind comes from the Lord.
27 An (AM)unjust person is an abomination to the righteous,
And one who is (AN)upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:1 Lit of rebukes who
  2. Proverbs 29:1 Lit hardens his neck
  3. Proverbs 29:1 Lit and there is no remedy
  4. Proverbs 29:2 Or become great
  5. Proverbs 29:7 Lit knows the cause
  6. Proverbs 29:7 Lit knowledge
  7. Proverbs 29:9 Lit He
  8. Proverbs 29:10 Lit seek his soul
  9. Proverbs 29:11 Lit sends forth all his spirit
  10. Proverbs 29:13 Lit meet together
  11. Proverbs 29:15 Lit left to himself
  12. Proverbs 29:16 Or become great
  13. Proverbs 29:17 Lit give delight to
  14. Proverbs 29:18 Or revelation
  15. Proverbs 29:25 Lit gives
  16. Proverbs 29:26 Lit face

Request for Prayer

(A)Finally, brothers and sisters, (B)pray for us that (C)the word of the Lord will [a]spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it was also with you; and that we will be (D)rescued from troublesome and evil people; for not all have the faith. But (E)the Lord is faithful, [b]and He will strengthen and protect you [c]from (F)the evil one. We have (G)confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you (H)are doing, and will do, what we command. May the Lord (I)direct your hearts to the love of God and to the perseverance of Christ.

Now we command you, brothers and sisters, (J)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you [d](K)keep away from every brother or sister who [e]leads a [f](L)disorderly life and not one in accordance with (M)the tradition which [g]you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to [h](N)follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined way among you, nor did we (O)eat [i]anyone’s bread [j]without paying for it, but with (P)labor and hardship we kept (Q)working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; not because we do not have (R)the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves (S)as a role model for you, so that you would [k]follow our example. 10 For even (T)when we were with you, we used to give you this order: (U)if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 11 For we hear that some among you are (V)leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like (W)busybodies. 12 Now we command and (X)exhort such persons in the Lord Jesus Christ to (Y)work [l]peacefully and eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, (Z)brothers and sisters, (AA)do not grow weary of doing good.

14 If anyone does not obey our [m]instruction [n](AB)in this letter, take special note of that person so as (AC)not to associate with him, so that he will be (AD)put to shame. 15 And yet (AE)do not regard that person as an enemy, but [o](AF)admonish that one as a (AG)brother or sister.

16 Now (AH)may the Lord of peace (AI)Himself continually grant you peace in every [p]circumstance. (AJ)The Lord be with you all!

17 [q]I, Paul, write this greeting (AK)with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. 18 (AL)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Thessalonians 3:1 Lit run
  2. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 Lit who will
  3. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 Or from evil
  4. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or avoid
  5. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Lit walks disorderly
  6. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or undisciplined
  7. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 One early ms they
  8. 2 Thessalonians 3:7 Or imitate us
  9. 2 Thessalonians 3:8 Lit from anyone
  10. 2 Thessalonians 3:8 Lit freely
  11. 2 Thessalonians 3:9 Or imitate us
  12. 2 Thessalonians 3:12 Lit with quietness
  13. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 Lit word
  14. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 Lit through
  15. 2 Thessalonians 3:15 Or keep admonishing
  16. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Lit way
  17. 2 Thessalonians 3:17 Lit The greeting by my hand of Paul

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