Warnings and Instructions

29 A person [a]often (A)rebuked who [b]becomes obstinate
Will (B)suddenly be broken [c]beyond remedy.
When the (C)righteous [d]increase, the people rejoice,
But when a wicked person rules, people groan.
A man who (D)loves wisdom makes his father glad,
But he who (E)involves himself with prostitutes wastes his wealth.
The (F)king gives stability to the land by justice,
But a person who takes bribes ruins it.
A man who (G)flatters his neighbor
Is spreading a net for his steps.
By wrongdoing an evil person is (H)ensnared,
But the righteous (I)sings and rejoices.
The (J)righteous [e]is concerned for the rights of the poor;
The wicked does not understand such [f]concern.
Arrogant people (K)inflame a city,
But (L)wise people turn away anger.
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

  1. Proverbs 29:1 Lit of rebukes who
  2. Proverbs 29:1 Lit hardens his neck
  3. Proverbs 29:1 Lit and there is no remedy
  4. Proverbs 29:2 Or become great
  5. Proverbs 29:7 Lit knows the cause
  6. Proverbs 29:7 Lit knowledge
  7. Proverbs 29:9 Lit He
  8. Proverbs 29:10 Lit seek his soul
  9. Proverbs 29:11 Lit sends forth all his spirit
  10. Proverbs 29:13 Lit meet together
  11. Proverbs 29:15 Lit left to himself
  12. Proverbs 29:16 Or become great
  13. Proverbs 29:17 Lit give delight to
  14. Proverbs 29:18 Or revelation
  15. Proverbs 29:25 Lit gives
  16. Proverbs 29:26 Lit face

29 He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck
Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
When the righteous [a]are increased, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh.
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father;
But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance.
The king by justice establisheth the land;
But [b]he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it.
A man that flattereth his neighbor
Spreadeth a net for his steps.
In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare;
But the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor;
The wicked [c]hath not understanding to know it.
Scoffers set a city in a flame;
But wise men turn away wrath.
If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man,
[d]Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest.
10 The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect;
[e]And as for the upright, they seek his life.
11 A fool uttereth all his [f]anger;
But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it.
12 If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood,
All his servants are wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together;
Jehovah lighteneth the eyes of them both.
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 causeth shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked [g]are increased, transgression increaseth;
But the righteous shall look upon their fall.
17 Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest;
Yea, he will give delight unto thy soul.
18 Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint;
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 [h]give heed.
20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his [i]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 [j]a son at the last.
22 An angry man stirreth up strife,
And a wrathful man aboundeth in transgression.
23 A man’s pride shall bring him low;
But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor.
24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul;
He heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing.
25 The fear of man bringeth a snare;
But whoso putteth his trust in Jehovah [k]shall be safe.
26 Many seek the ruler’s favor;
But a man’s judgment cometh from Jehovah.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous;
And he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:2 Or, are in authority
  2. Proverbs 29:4 Or, he that imposeth tribute. Hebrew a man of offerings.
  3. Proverbs 29:7 Or, understandeth not knowledge
  4. Proverbs 29:9 Or, He rageth and laugheth, and there is no rest
  5. Proverbs 29:10 Or, But the upright care for his soul
  6. Proverbs 29:11 Hebrew spirit.
  7. Proverbs 29:16 Or, are in authority
  8. Proverbs 29:19 Hebrew answer.
  9. Proverbs 29:20 Or, business
  10. Proverbs 29:21 The meaning of the word is doubtful.
  11. Proverbs 29:25 Hebrew shall be set on high.