Proverbs 29
Expanded Bible
29 Whoever is ·stubborn [L stiff-necked] after being corrected many times
will suddenly be ·hurt [broken] beyond ·cure [healing].
2 When ·good [righteous] people ·do well [or multiply; increase], ·everyone is [L the people are] happy,
but when evil people ·rule [dominate], ·everyone groans [L the people groan/moan].
3 Those who love wisdom make their ·parents [L father] happy,
but friends of prostitutes ·waste their money [destroy riches].
4 If a king is ·fair [just], he makes his country ·strong [stable],
but if he ·takes gifts dishonestly [heavily taxes/extorts it], he tears his country down [1 Sam. 12:10–18].
5 Those who give false praise to their ·neighbors [or friends]
are setting a ·trap for them [trap/net for their feet].
6 Evil people are trapped by their own ·sin [offenses],
but ·good [righteous] people can sing and be happy.
7 ·Good [Righteous] people ·care [know] about ·justice for [the rights of] the poor,
but the wicked ·are not concerned [L do not understand].
8 ·People who make fun of wisdom [Mockers] ·cause trouble in [L inflame] a city,
but wise people ·calm anger down [L turn back anger].
9 When a wise person ·takes a foolish person to court [or debates/disputes a fool],
the fool only shouts or laughs, and there is no ·peace [rest].
10 Murderers hate an ·honest [innocent; blameless] person
and ·try to kill [L seek the life of] ·those who do right [the virtuous].
11 Foolish people ·lose their tempers [or let nothing go unexpressed; L let all their spirit out],
but wise people ·control theirs [quiet things down afterward].
12 If a ruler pays attention to lies,
all ·his officers [those who serve him] will become wicked [Ps. 101:6–8].
13 The poor person and the ·cruel person [oppressor] are alike
in that the Lord gave light to the eyes of both of them.
14 If a king judges poor people ·fairly [in truth; reliably],
his ·government [L throne] will ·continue [be established] forever.
15 Correction and ·punishment [L the rod] make children wise,
but those ·left alone [unsupervised] will disgrace their mother.
16 When there are many wicked people, there is much ·sin [offense],
but ·those who do right [the righteous] will see ·them destroyed [their downfall].
17 ·Correct [Instruct; Discipline] your children, and ·you will be proud [they will give you peace of mind];
they will give you ·satisfaction [delight].
18 Where there is no ·word from God [L vision; prophecy], ·people are uncontrolled [T the people perish],
but those who ·obey what they have been taught [L guard the law] are ·happy [blessed].
19 Words alone cannot ·correct [instruct] a servant,
because even if they understand, they won’t respond.
20 Do you see people who speak too ·quickly [hastily]?
There is more hope for a foolish person than for them.
21 If you ·spoil [pamper] your servants when they are young,
they will bring you ·grief [trouble] later on.
22 An angry person ·causes trouble [stirs up conflict];
a person with ·a quick temper [wrath] sins a lot.
23 Pride will ·ruin people [cause people to fall],
but ·those who are humble will be honored [a lowly spirit holds honor/glory tight].
24 ·Partners of [L Those who divide plunder with] thieves ·are their own worst enemies [L hate their lives/themselves].
If they ·have to testify in court [L hear a curse], they ·are afraid to [L do not] say anything.
25 ·Being afraid of [Anxiety about] people ·can get you into trouble [L is a trap],
but if you trust the Lord, you will be ·safe [protected; Ps. 56:11; 1 John 4:18].
26 Many people want ·to speak to [an audience with] a ruler,
but justice comes only from the Lord.
27 ·Good [Righteous] people ·hate [detest] ·those who are dishonest [the unjust],
and the wicked ·hate [detest] ·those who are honest [L the straight path].
Proverbs 29
Amplified Bible
Warnings and Instructions
29 He who hardens his neck and refuses instruction after being often reproved (corrected, criticized),
Will suddenly be broken beyond repair.
2
When the righteous are in authority and become great, the people rejoice;
But when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh.
3
A man who loves [skillful and godly] wisdom makes his father joyful,
But he who associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth.
4
The king establishes (stabilizes) the land by justice,
But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.
5
A man who flatters his neighbor [with smooth words intending to do harm]
Is spreading a net for his own feet.
6
By his wicked plan an evil man is trapped,
But the righteous man sings and rejoices [for his plan brings good things to him].
7
The righteous man cares for the rights of the poor,
But the wicked man has no interest in such knowledge.(A)
8
Scoffers set a city afire [by stirring up trouble],
But wise men turn away anger [and restore order with their good judgment].
9
If a wise man has a controversy with a foolish and arrogant man,
The foolish man [ignores logic and fairness and] only rages or laughs, and there is no peace (rest, agreement).
10
The bloodthirsty hate the blameless [because of his integrity],
But the upright are concerned for his life.(B)
11
A [shortsighted] fool always loses his temper and displays his anger,
But a wise man [uses self-control and] holds it back.
12
If a ruler pays attention to lies [and encourages corruption],
All his officials will become wicked.
13
The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.(C)
14
If a king faithfully and truthfully judges the poor,
His throne shall be established forever.
15
The rod and reproof (godly instruction) give wisdom,
But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.
16
When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases,
But the righteous will see the downfall of the wicked.
17
Correct your son, and he will give you comfort;
Yes, he will delight your soul.
18
Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained;
But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].(D)
19
A servant will not be corrected by words alone;
For though he understands, he will not respond [nor pay attention].
20
Do you see a [conceited] man who speaks quickly [offering his opinions or answering without thinking]?
There is more hope for a [thickheaded] [a]fool than for him.
21
He who pampers his slave from childhood
Will find him to be a son in the end.
22
An angry man stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered and undisciplined man commits many transgressions.
23
A man’s pride and sense of self-importance will bring him down,
But he who has a humble spirit will obtain honor.(E)
24
Whoever is partner with a thief hates his own life;
He hears the curse [when swearing an oath to testify], but discloses nothing [and commits perjury by omission].
25
The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in and puts his confidence in the Lord will be exalted and safe.
26
Many seek the ruler’s favor,
But justice for man comes from the Lord.
27
An unjust man is repulsive to the righteous,
And he who is upright in the way [of the Lord] is repulsive to the wicked.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:20 See note 1:7.
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
