Proverbs 29
Legacy Standard Bible
29 A man who hardens his neck after (A)much reproof
Will (B)suddenly be broken [a]beyond healing.
2 When the (C)righteous [b]increase, the people are glad,
But when a wicked man rules, people groan.
3 A man who (D)loves wisdom makes his father glad,
But he who (E)befriends harlots destroys his wealth.
4 By justice the (F)king causes the land to stand,
But a man of bribes tears it down.
5 A man who (G)flatters his neighbor
Is spreading a net for his steps.
6 By transgression an evil man is (H)ensnared,
But the righteous (I)sings with joy and is glad.
7 The (J)righteous knows the cause of the poor,
The wicked does not understand that knowledge.
8 Scoffers [c](K)set a city aflame,
But (L)wise men turn away anger.
9 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
- Proverbs 29:1 Lit and there is no healing
- Proverbs 29:2 Or become great
- Proverbs 29:8 Lit breathe out
- Proverbs 29:9 Lit He
- Proverbs 29:11 Lit sends forth all his spirit
- Proverbs 29:15 Lit set loose
- Proverbs 29:16 Or become great
- Proverbs 29:18 Or revelation
- Proverbs 29:21 Or a son
- Proverbs 29:24 Or partners
- Proverbs 29:25 Lit gives
Proverbs 29
International Standard Version
Advice on Life and Justice
29 After many rebukes, the stiff-necked man
will be broken incurably, without any warning.
2 As the righteous grow powerful,[a] people rejoice;
but when the wicked rule, people groan.
3 The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but anyone who consorts with immoral women squanders his wealth.
4 A king brings stability to a land through justice,
but a man who takes bribes brings it to ruin.
5 A strong man who flatters his neighbor
is setting a trap where he walks.[b]
The Wicked and Righteous Contrasted
6 An evil man is trapped by transgression,
but the righteous person sings and rejoices.
7 The righteous person is concerned about the poor;
but the wicked don’t understand what they need to know.[c]
8 Scornful men enflame a city,
but the wise defuse anger.
9 When a wise man has a dispute with a fool,
the fool either rages or laughs without relief.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate the innocent person,
but the upright show concern for his life.
12 When a ruler is listening to lies,
all of his officials tend to become wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:[f]
the Lord gave them both eyes with which to see.[g]
14 When a king faithfully administers justice to the poor,
his throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and rebuke bestow wisdom,
but an undisciplined child[h] brings shame to his mother.
16 As the wicked grow powerful,[i] transgression increases,
but the righteous will observe their downfall.
17 Correct your son and he will comfort you;
he will also delight your soul.
18 Without prophetic vision, people abandon restraint,
but those who obey the Law are happy.
Dangerous Behaviors
19 By mere words a servant will not be corrected;
even though he understands,
there will be no response.
20 Do you see a man who speaks hastily?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 If you pamper a servant from his childhood,
later on he’ll become ungrateful.
22 An angry man stirs up arguments,
and a hot-tempered man causes many transgressions.
23 A person’s pride will bring about his downfall,
but the humble in spirit will gain honor.
24 A thief’s accomplice hates himself;
though testifying under oath,[j] he reveals nothing.
25 Fearing any human being is a trap,
but confiding in the Lord keeps anyone safe.
26 Many seek a ruler’s favor,[k]
but justice for a man comes from the Lord.
27 The unjust man is detestable to the righteous,
and whoever lives blamelessly is detestable to the wicked.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:2 The Heb. lacks powerful
- Proverbs 29:5 Lit. trap for his footsteps
- Proverbs 29:7 Lit. understand knowledge
- Proverbs 29:11 Lit. spirit
- Proverbs 29:11 The Heb. lacks to himself
- Proverbs 29:13 Lit. oppressor meet together
- Proverbs 29:13 Lit. Lord lights the eyes of both
- Proverbs 29:15 Lit. but a child left alone
- Proverbs 29:16 The Heb. lacks powerful
- Proverbs 29:24 Lit. though he hears the oath
- Proverbs 29:26 Lit. face
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