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
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
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.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
