Proverbs 29
King James Version
29 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the Lord lighteneth both their eyes.
14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.
26 Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the Lord.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
Proverbs 29
New King James Version
Happy Is He Who Keeps the Law
29 He(A) who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2 When the righteous [a]are in authority, the (B)people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, (C)the people groan.
3 Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,
But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.
4 The king establishes the land by justice,
But he who receives bribes overthrows it.
5 A man who (D)flatters his neighbor
Spreads a net for his feet.
6 By transgression an evil man is snared,
But the righteous sings and rejoices.
7 The righteous (E)considers the cause of the poor,
But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.
8 Scoffers (F)set a city aflame,
But wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man contends with a foolish man,
(G)Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.
12 If a ruler pays attention to lies,
All his servants become wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
(J)The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 The king who judges the (K)poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and rebuke give (L)wisdom,
But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases;
But the righteous will see their (M)fall.
17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest;
Yes, he will give delight to your soul.
18 (N)Where there is no [d]revelation, the people cast off restraint;
But (O)happy is he who keeps the law.
19 A servant will not be corrected by mere words;
For though he understands, he will not respond.
20 Do you see a man hasty in his words?
(P)There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 He who pampers his servant from childhood
Will have him as a son in the end.
22 (Q)An angry man stirs up strife,
And a furious man abounds in transgression.
23 (R)A man’s pride will bring him low,
But the humble in spirit will retain honor.
24 Whoever is a partner with a thief hates his own life;
(S)He [e]swears to tell the truth, but reveals nothing.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:2 become great
- Proverbs 29:10 Lit. soul or life
- Proverbs 29:11 Lit. spirit
- Proverbs 29:18 prophetic vision
- Proverbs 29:24 Lit. hears the adjuration or oath
- Proverbs 29:25 secure, lit. set on high
- Proverbs 29:26 Lit. face
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
Proverbs 29
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
29 The man that with a stiff neck despiseth him that reproveth him, shall suddenly be destroyed: and health shall not follow him.
2 When just men increase, the people shall rejoice: when the wicked shall bear rule, the people shall mourn.
3 A man that loveth wisdom, rejoiceth his father: but he that maintaineth bar lots, shall squander away his substance.
4 A just king setteth up the land: a covetous man shall destroy it.
5 A man that speaketh to his friend with flattering and dissembling words, spreadeth a net for his feet.
6 A snare shall entangle the wicked man when he sinneth: and the just shall praise and rejoice.
7 The just taketh notice of the cause of the poor: the wicked is void of knowledge.
8 Corrupt men bring a city to ruin: but wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man contend with a fool, whether he be angry or laugh, he shall find no rest.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate the upright: but just men seek his soul.
11 A fool uttereth all his mind: a wise man deferreth, and keepeth it till afterwards.
12 A prince that gladly heareth lying words, hath all his servants wicked.
13 The poor man and the creditor have met one another: the Lord is the enlightener of them both.
14 The king that judgeth the poor in truth, his throne shall be established for ever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but the child that is left to his own will bringeth his mother to shame.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, crimes shall be multiplied: but the just shall see their downfall.
17 Instruct thy son, and he shall refresh thee, and shall give delight to thy soul.
18 When prophecy shall fail, the people shall be scattered abroad: but he that keepeth the law is blessed.
19 A slave will not be corrected by words: because he understandeth what thou sayest, and will not answer.
20 Hast thou seen a man hasty to speak? folly is rather to be looked for, than his amendment.
21 He that nourisheth his servant delicately from his childhood, afterwards shall find him stubborn.
22 A passionate man provoketh quarrels: and he that is easily stirred up to wrath, shall be more prone to sin.
23 Humiliation followeth the proud: and glory shall uphold the humble of spirit.
24 He that is partaker with a thief, hateth his own soul: he heareth one putting him to his oath, and discovereth not.
25 He that feareth man, shall quickly fall: he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be set on high.
26 Many seek the face of the prince: but the judgment of every one cometh forth from the Lord.
27 The just abhor the wicked man: and the wicked loathe them that are in the right way. The son that keepeth the word, shall be free from destruction.
Proverbs 29
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 29
1 Those stiff-necked in the face of reproof
in an instant will be shattered beyond cure.[a]
2 When the just flourish, the people rejoice;
but when the wicked rule, the people groan.[b](A)
3 Whoever loves wisdom gives joy to his father,
but whoever consorts with harlots squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king builds up the land;
but one who raises taxes tears it down.[c]
5 Those who speak flattery to their neighbor
cast a net at their feet.[d]
6 The sin of the wicked is a trap,
but the just run along joyfully.(B)
7 The just care for the cause of the poor;
the wicked do not understand such care.[e]
8 Scoffers enflame the city,
but the wise calm the fury.(C)
9 If a wise person disputes with a fool,
there is railing and ridicule but no resolution.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the blameless,
but the upright seek his life.[f]
11 Fools give vent to all their anger;
but the wise, biding their time, control it.(D)
12 If rulers listen to lying words,
their servants all become wicked.
13 The poor and the oppressor meet:(E)
the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king is honestly for the rights of the poor,
his throne stands firm forever.(F)
15 The rod of correction gives wisdom,
but uncontrolled youths disgrace their mothers.(G)
16 When the wicked increase, crime increases;
but the just will behold their downfall.[g]
17 Discipline your children, and they will bring you comfort,
and give delight to your soul.
18 Without a vision the people lose restraint;
but happy is the one who follows instruction.[h]
19 Not by words alone can servants be trained;(H)
for they understand but do not respond.[i]
20 Do you see someone hasty in speech?(I)
There is more hope for a fool!
21 If servants are pampered from childhood
they will turn out to be stubborn.
22 The ill-tempered stir up strife,
and the hotheaded cause many sins.(J)
23 Haughtiness brings humiliation,
but the humble of spirit acquire honor.[j](K)
24 Partners of a thief hate themselves;[k]
they hear the imprecation but do not testify.
25 Fear of others becomes a snare,
but the one who trusts in the Lord is safe.
26 Many curry favor with a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that one receives justice.
27 An abomination to the just, the evildoer;
an abomination to the wicked, one whose way is straight.
Footnotes
- 29:1 The idiom “to stiffen one’s neck” occurs in a context of not heeding a message in Dt 10:16 and 2 Kgs 17:14. To stiffen one’s neck in this sense risks having it broken, as in 1 Sm 4:18.
- 29:2 Popular response to a just or unjust ruler is expressed in sound—shouts of joy or groans of anguish. “Rejoice” can mean to express one’s joy, i.e., joyous shouts.
- 29:4 In Hebrew as in English high and low are metaphors for prosperity and depression. A king who is just “causes the land to stand up,” i.e., to be prosperous, and one who makes taxes high brings a country low.
- 29:5 When one addresses deceptive words to someone’s face, one equivalently throws a net at their feet to snare them.
- 29:7 As in 12:10 (on care for animals), the righteous care for those who are without a voice and often treated like animals. Colon B has a double meaning: the wicked have no such knowledge (care for the poor) and they have no knowledge (wisdom), for they are fools.
- 29:10 An enigmatic saying in that “seek one’s life” is a common idiom for killing. The saying probably plays on the idiom, interpreting “to seek the life of another” not as killing but as caring for another (as in 11:30).
- 29:16 When the wicked grow numerous they sow the seeds of their own destruction, for there is a corresponding increase in offenses calling down divine retribution.
- 29:18 This much-cited proverb has been interpreted in several different ways. “Vision” and “instruction” mean authoritative guidance for the community. People are demoralized without credible leadership, but any individual heeding traditional instruction can still find happiness. As in 15:15 wisdom enables an individual to surmount days of trouble.
- 29:19 The give and take of reproving is not possible for servants or slaves. Ancient custom dictated silent acquiescence for them. There is no open and free dialogue, which is part of ancient discipline.
- 29:23 One’s prideful height brings one down and one’s lowly state brings glory.
- 29:24 Hate themselves: because they not only incur guilt as accomplices but, by their silence, bring down on themselves the curse invoked on the unknown guilty partner. Such a case is envisioned in Lv 5:1. After a theft, a public proclamation was made, enforced by a curse. No one in a town or city could avoid hearing it. The curse hung over the accomplice. By doing nothing, neither directly stealing nor confessing, accomplices put themselves in serious danger.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. 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.
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