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Proverbs 29
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
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.
Proverbs 29
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition
Proverbs 29
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition
29 One who is often reproved, yet remains stubborn,
will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 A child who loves wisdom makes a parent glad,
but to keep company with prostitutes is to squander one’s substance.
4 By justice a king gives stability to the land,
but one who makes heavy exactions ruins it.
5 Whoever flatters a neighbour
is spreading a net for the neighbour’s feet.
6 In the transgression of the evil there is a snare,
but the righteous sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous know the rights of the poor;
the wicked have no such understanding.
8 Scoffers set a city aflame,
but the wise turn away wrath.
9 If the wise go to law with fools,
there is ranting and ridicule without relief.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the blameless,
and they seek the life of the upright.
11 A fool gives full vent to anger,
but the wise quietly holds it back.
12 If a ruler listens to falsehood,
all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common:
the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king judges the poor with equity,
his throne will be established for ever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom,
but a mother is disgraced by a neglected child.
16 When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases,
but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
17 Discipline your children, and they will give you rest;
they will give delight to your heart.
18 Where there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint,
but happy are those who keep the law.
19 By mere words servants are not disciplined,
for though they understand, they will not give heed.
20 Do you see someone who is hasty in speech?
There is more hope for a fool than for anyone like that.
21 A slave pampered from childhood
will come to a bad end.[a]
22 One given to anger stirs up strife,
and the hothead causes much transgression.
23 A person’s pride will bring humiliation,
but one who is lowly in spirit will obtain honour.
24 To be a partner of a thief is to hate one’s own life;
one hears the victim’s curse, but discloses nothing.[b]
25 The fear of others[c] lays a snare,
but one who trusts in the Lord is secure.
26 Many seek the favour of a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.
27 The unjust are an abomination to the righteous,
but the upright are an abomination to the wicked.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:21 Vg: Meaning of Heb uncertain
- Proverbs 29:24 Meaning of Heb uncertain
- Proverbs 29:25 Or human fear
Proverbs 29
Good News Translation
Proverbs 29
Good News Translation
29 If you get more stubborn every time you are corrected, one day you will be crushed and never recover.
2 Show me a righteous ruler and I will show you a happy people. Show me a wicked ruler and I will show you a miserable people.
3 If you appreciate wisdom, your parents will be proud of you.
It is a foolish waste to spend money on prostitutes.
4 When the king is concerned with justice, the nation will be strong, but when he is only concerned with money, he will ruin his country.
5 If you flatter your friends, you set a trap for yourself.[a]
6 Evil people are trapped in their own sins, while honest people are happy and free.
7 A good person knows the rights of the poor, but wicked people cannot understand such things.
8 People with no regard for others can throw whole cities into turmoil. Those who are wise keep things calm.
9 When an intelligent person brings a lawsuit against a fool, the fool only laughs and becomes loud and abusive.
10 Bloodthirsty people hate anyone who's honest, but righteous people will protect[b] the life of such a person.
11 Stupid people express their anger openly, but sensible people are patient and hold it back.
12 If a ruler pays attention to false information, all his officials will be liars.
13 A poor person and his oppressor have this in common—the Lord gave eyes to both of them.
14 If a king defends the rights of the poor, he will rule for a long time.
15 Correction and discipline are good for children. If they have their own way, they will make their mothers ashamed of them.
16 When evil people are in power, crime increases. But the righteous will live to see the downfall of such people.
17 Discipline your children and you can always be proud of them. They will never give you reason to be ashamed.
18 A nation without God's guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God's law!
19 (A)You cannot correct servants just by talking to them. They may understand you, but they will pay no attention.
20 There is more hope for a stupid fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.
21 If you give your servants everything they want from childhood on, some day they will take over everything you own.[c]
22 People with quick tempers cause a lot of quarreling and trouble.
23 Arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.
24 A thief's partner is his own worst enemy. He will be punished if he tells the truth in court, and God will curse him if he doesn't.
25 It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe.
26 Everybody wants the good will of the ruler, but only from the Lord can you get justice.
27 The righteous hate the wicked, and the wicked hate the righteous.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:5 yourself; or them.
- Proverbs 29:10 Probable text protect; Hebrew seek.
- Proverbs 29:21 they … own; or you will not be able to control them.
Proverbs 29
New American Standard Bible
Proverbs 29
New American Standard Bible
Warnings and Instructions
29 A person [a]often (A)rebuked who [b]becomes obstinate
Will (B)suddenly be broken [c]beyond remedy.
2 When the (C)righteous [d]increase, the people rejoice,
But when a wicked person rules, people groan.
3 A man who (D)loves wisdom makes his father glad,
But he who (E)involves himself with prostitutes wastes his wealth.
4 The (F)king gives stability to the land by justice,
But a person who takes bribes ruins it.
5 A man who (G)flatters his neighbor
Is spreading a net for his steps.
6 By wrongdoing an evil person is (H)ensnared,
But the righteous (I)sings and rejoices.
7 The (J)righteous [e]is concerned for the rights of the poor;
The wicked does not understand such [f]concern.
8 Arrogant people (K)inflame a city,
But (L)wise people turn away anger.
9 When a wise person has a controversy with a foolish person,
[g]The foolish person either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.
10 People of (M)bloodshed hate the blameless person,
But the upright [h]are concerned for his life.
11 A (N)fool [i]always loses his temper,
But a (O)wise person holds it back.
12 If a (P)ruler pays attention to falsehood,
All his ministers become wicked.
13 The (Q)poor person and the oppressor [j]have this in common:
The Lord 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 a rebuke give wisdom,
But a child [k]who gets his own way (V)brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked [l]increase, wrongdoing increases;
But the (W)righteous will see their downfall.
17 (X)Correct your son, and he will give you comfort;
He will also [m](Y)delight your soul.
18 Where there is (Z)no [n]vision, the people (AA)are unrestrained,
But (AB)happy is one who keeps the Law.
19 A slave will not be instructed by words alone;
For though he understands, there will be no response.
20 Do you see a person who is (AC)hasty with his words?
There is (AD)more hope for a fool than for him.
21 One who pampers his slave from childhood
Will in the end find him to be rebellious.
22 An (AE)angry person stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered person abounds in wrongdoing.
23 A person’s (AF)pride will bring him low,
But a (AG)humble spirit will obtain honor.
24 One who is a partner with a thief hates his own life;
He (AH)hears the oath but tells nothing.
25 The (AI)fear of man [o]brings a snare,
But one who (AJ)trusts in the Lord will be protected.
26 (AK)Many seek the ruler’s [p]favor,
But (AL)justice for mankind comes from the Lord.
27 An (AM)unjust person is an abomination to the righteous,
And one who is (AN)upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:1 Lit of rebukes who
- Proverbs 29:1 Lit hardens his neck
- Proverbs 29:1 Lit and there is no remedy
- Proverbs 29:2 Or become great
- Proverbs 29:7 Lit knows the cause
- Proverbs 29:7 Lit knowledge
- Proverbs 29:9 Lit He
- Proverbs 29:10 Lit seek his soul
- Proverbs 29:11 Lit sends forth all his spirit
- Proverbs 29:13 Lit meet together
- Proverbs 29:15 Lit left to himself
- Proverbs 29:16 Or become great
- Proverbs 29:17 Lit give delight to
- Proverbs 29:18 Or revelation
- Proverbs 29:25 Lit gives
- Proverbs 29:26 Lit face
Proverbs 29
New International Version
Proverbs 29
New International Version
29 Whoever remains stiff-necked(A) after many rebukes
will suddenly be destroyed(B)—without remedy.(C)
3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,(G)
but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.(H)
4 By justice a king gives a country stability,(I)
but those who are greedy for[a] bribes tear it down.
5 Those who flatter their neighbors
are spreading nets for their feet.(J)
6 Evildoers are snared by their own sin,(K)
but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.
7 The righteous care about justice for the poor,(L)
but the wicked have no such concern.
8 Mockers stir up a city,
but the wise turn away anger.(M)
9 If a wise person goes to court with a fool,
the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.
10 The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity
and seek to kill the upright.(N)
13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common:
The Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.(S)
14 If a king judges the poor with fairness,
his throne will be established forever.(T)
15 A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,
but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.(U)
16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin,
but the righteous will see their downfall.(V)
17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;
they will bring you the delights you desire.(W)
18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.(X)
19 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words;
though they understand, they will not respond.
20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
There is more hope for a fool than for them.(Y)
21 A servant pampered from youth
will turn out to be insolent.
22 An angry person stirs up conflict,
and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.(Z)
24 The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies;
they are put under oath and dare not testify.(AC)
27 The righteous detest the dishonest;
the wicked detest the upright.(AI)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:4 Or who give
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
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