(A)Scoffers set a city aflame,
    but the wise turn away wrath.
If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
    the fool only rages and laughs, and there is (B)no quiet.
10 Bloodthirsty men (C)hate one who is blameless
    and seek the life of the upright.[a]
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 (D)meet together;
    the Lord (E)gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king (F)faithfully judges the poor,
    his throne will (G)be established forever.
15 (H)The rod and reproof give wisdom,
    but a child left to himself (I)brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
    but (J)the righteous will look upon their downfall.
17 (K)Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
    he will give delight to your heart.
18 Where (L)there is no prophetic vision the people (M)cast off restraint,[b]
    but blessed is he who (N)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?
    (O)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.[c]
22 (P)A man of wrath stirs up strife,
    and one given to anger causes much transgression.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:10 Or but the upright seek his soul
  2. Proverbs 29:18 Or the people are discouraged
  3. Proverbs 29:21 The meaning of the Hebrew word rendered his heir is uncertain

Mockers stir up a city,
    but the wise turn away anger.(A)

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.(B)

11 Fools give full vent to their rage,(C)
    but the wise bring calm in the end.(D)

12 If a ruler(E) listens to lies,
    all his officials become wicked.(F)

13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common:
    The Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.(G)

14 If a king judges the poor with fairness,
    his throne will be established forever.(H)

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

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

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

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

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.(M)

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.(N)

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