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
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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