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29 A man who hardens his neck after (A)much reproof
Will (B)suddenly be broken [a]beyond healing.
When the (C)righteous [b]increase, the people are glad,
But when a wicked man rules, people groan.
A man who (D)loves wisdom makes his father glad,
But he who (E)befriends harlots destroys his wealth.
By justice the (F)king causes the land to stand,
But a man of bribes tears it down.
A man who (G)flatters his neighbor
Is spreading a net for his steps.
By transgression an evil man is (H)ensnared,
But the righteous (I)sings with joy and is glad.
The (J)righteous knows the cause of the poor,
The wicked does not understand that knowledge.
Scoffers [c](K)set a city aflame,
But (L)wise men turn away anger.
When a wise man is brought into judgment with a man who is an ignorant fool,
[d]The ignorant fool both rages and laughs, and there is no rest.
10 Men of (M)bloodshed hate the blameless,
But the upright seek the well-being of his soul.
11 A (N)fool [e]lets out all of his spirit,
But a (O)wise man holds it back.
12 If a (P)ruler pays attention to a lying word,
All his ministers become wicked.
13 The (Q)poor man and the oppressor meet together in this
Yahweh gives (R)light to the eyes of both.
14 If a (S)king judges the poor with truth,
His (T)throne will be established forever.
15 The (U)rod and reproof give wisdom,
But a child [f]left to himself (V)brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked [g]increase, transgression increases;
But the (W)righteous will see their fall.
17 (X)Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
And he will (Y)give delight to your soul.
18 Where there is (Z)no [h]vision, the people (AA)are out of control,
But how (AB)blessed is he who keeps the law.
19 A slave will not be corrected by words alone;
For though he understands, there will be no answer.
20 Do you behold a man who is (AC)hasty in his words?
There is (AD)more hope for a fool than for him.
21 He who pampers his slave from childhood
Will in the end find him to be [i]arrogant.
22 An (AE)angry man stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
23 A man’s (AF)lofty pride will bring him low,
But a (AG)lowly spirit will take hold of glory.
24 He who [j]divides the spoil with a thief hates his own soul;
He (AH)hears the oath but declares nothing.
25 (AI)Trembling before man [k]brings a snare,
But he who (AJ)trusts in Yahweh will be set securely on high.
26 (AK)Many seek the face of a ruler,
But (AL)justice for man comes from Yahweh.
27 An (AM)unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
And he who is (AN)upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:1 Lit and there is no healing
  2. Proverbs 29:2 Or become great
  3. Proverbs 29:8 Lit breathe out
  4. Proverbs 29:9 Lit He
  5. Proverbs 29:11 Lit sends forth all his spirit
  6. Proverbs 29:15 Lit set loose
  7. Proverbs 29:16 Or become great
  8. Proverbs 29:18 Or revelation
  9. Proverbs 29:21 Or a son
  10. Proverbs 29:24 Or partners
  11. Proverbs 29:25 Lit gives

29 One who stays stubborn after many corrections
    will be suddenly broken, beyond healing.
When the righteous become numerous, the people rejoice,
    but when the wicked dominate, the people moan.
A man who loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,
    but one who spends time with prostitutes destroys riches.
A king gives stability to the land by justice,
    but one who imposes heavy taxes tears it down.
People who flatter their friends
    spread out a net for their feet.
The wicked are snared by their own sin;[a]
    the righteous sing and rejoice.
The righteous know the rights of the poor,
    but the wicked don’t understand.
Mockers set a city on fire,
    but the wise turn back anger.
When the wise make a legal charge against the foolish,
    the fools shout, they laugh—there is no calm.
10 Murderous people hate the innocent,
    and they seek the lives of the virtuous.
11 Fools show all their anger,
    but the wise hold it back.
12 If a ruler listens to lies,
    those who serve him will be wicked.
13 The poor and their oppressors have a common bond—
    the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king judges the poor honestly,
    his throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and correction lead to wisdom,
    but children out of control shame their mothers.
16 When the wicked become numerous, so do crimes;
    the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Instruct your children; they will give you peace of mind
    and bring delight into your life.
18 When there’s no vision, the people get out of control,
    but whoever obeys instruction is happy.
19 Servants aren’t disciplined by words;
    they might understand, but they don’t respond.
20 Do you see people who are quick to speak?
    There is more hope for fools than for them.
21 Pamper servants from a young age,
    and later on there will be trouble.
22 Angry people stir up conflict;
    hotheads cause much offense.
23 Pride lays people low,
    but those of humble spirit gain honor.
24 Those who share plunder with thieves hate themselves;
    even under oath, they don’t testify.
25 People are trapped by their fear of others;
    those who trust the Lord are secure.
26 Many seek access to the ruler,
    but justice comes from the Lord.
27 The unjust person is disgusting to the righteous;
    the straight path is disgusting to the wicked.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:6 Tg, Syr; MT In the sin of an evil man is a snare