Proverbs 29
Lexham English Bible
29 A man who is reproved, being stubborn of neck—
suddenly he will be broken, and there will not be healing.
2 When the righteous are numerous, the people will rejoice,
but when the wicked are ruling, people will groan.
3 A man who loves wisdom will make his parents glad,
but the friend of prostitutes[a] will squander his wealth.
4 By justice a king gives stability to a land,
but a man of bribes will ruin it.
5 A strong man who flatters his neighbor
is spreading a net for his feet.
6 In transgression, an evil man is a snare,
but the righteous will sing and rejoice.[b]
7 The righteous knows the case of the poor,
but the wicked does not understand knowledge.
8 Men of scoffing set a city aflame,
but the wise turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man,
then there is rankling and ridicule,[c] but there is no relief.
10 Men of blood hate the blameless,
and they seek the life of the upright.[d]
11 A fool gives all his breath,[e]
but the wise holds back in quiet.
12 A ruler listening to a word of falsehood,
all his officials are wicked.
13 The poor and a man of oppression have this in common:
Yahweh gives light to the eyes of them both.[f]
14 A king who judges with truthfulness to the poor,
his throne will be established forever.
15 As for a rod and reproof, they[g] will give wisdom,
but a neglected child is disgraced by his mother.
16 With the increase of the wicked, transgression will increase,
but the righteous will look on his downfall.
17 Discipline your children, and they will give you rest,
and they will give delight to your soul.[h]
18 When there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint,
but as for he who guards instruction, happiness is his.
19 By words, a servant is not disciplined,
for he will understand, but there is no giving heed.
20 You see a man who is hasty in his words:
there is more hope for a fool than him.
21 He who pampers his servant from childhood,
arrogance will be his end.[i]
22 A man of anger will stir strife,
and the owner of anger, much transgression.
23 The pride of a person will bring him humiliation,
and the lowly of spirit will obtain honor.
24 Being a partner with a thief is hating one’s life;[j]
a curse he will hear, but not disclose.
25 The fear of a person will lay a snare,
but he who trusts in Yahweh will be secure.
26 Many are those who seek the favor[k] of a ruler,
but from Yahweh one obtains justice.[l]
27 A man of injustice is an abomination to the righteous,
but the upright[m] is an abomination to the wicked.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:3 Or “whores”
- Proverbs 29:6 Hebrew “he will rejoice”
- Proverbs 29:9 Hebrew “there is ridicule”
- Proverbs 29:10 Or “soul,” or “inner self”
- Proverbs 29:11 Or “spirit”
- Proverbs 29:13 Literally “light of the eyes of the two of them”
- Proverbs 29:15 Hebrew “it”
- Proverbs 29:17 Or “life,” or “inner self”
- Proverbs 29:21 Literally “and its/his end will be arrogance”
- Proverbs 29:24 Or “soul,” or “inner self”
- Proverbs 29:26 Literally “faces”
- Proverbs 29:26 Literally “comes justice for a man”
- Proverbs 29:27 Literally “upright of way”
Proverbs 29
Holman 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 man who demands “contributions”[a]
demolishes it.(F)
7 The righteous person knows the rights[c] 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.
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[h]
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 son, and it will bring you peace of mind(V)
and give you delight.
19 A slave cannot be disciplined by words;
though he understands, he doesn’t respond.(Z)
21 A slave pampered from his youth
will become arrogant[j] later on.
27 An unjust man is detestable to the righteous,
and one whose way is upright
is detestable to the wicked.(AK)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:4 The Hb word for “contributions” usually refers to offerings in worship.
- Proverbs 29:5 Lit is smooth on
- Proverbs 29:7 Lit justice
- Proverbs 29:9 Lit rest
- Proverbs 29:10 Or person, and seek the life of the upright
- Proverbs 29:11 Lit spirit
- Proverbs 29:13 Lit oppressor meet
- Proverbs 29:15 Lit youth sent away
- Proverbs 29:18 Lit vision
- Proverbs 29:21 Hb obscure
- Proverbs 29:22 Lit a master of rage
- Proverbs 29:24 When a call for witnesses was made public, anyone with information who did not submit his testimony was under a curse.
- Proverbs 29:25 Lit raised high
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