Proverbs 29
New King James Version
Happy Is He Who Keeps the Law
29 He(A) who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2 When the righteous [a]are in authority, the (B)people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, (C)the people groan.
3 Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,
But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.
4 The king establishes the land by justice,
But he who receives bribes overthrows it.
5 A man who (D)flatters his neighbor
Spreads a net for his feet.
6 By transgression an evil man is snared,
But the righteous sings and rejoices.
7 The righteous (E)considers the cause of the poor,
But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.
8 Scoffers (F)set a city aflame,
But wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man contends with a foolish man,
(G)Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.
12 If a ruler pays attention to lies,
All his servants become wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
(J)The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 The king who judges the (K)poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and rebuke give (L)wisdom,
But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases;
But the righteous will see their (M)fall.
17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest;
Yes, he will give delight to your soul.
18 (N)Where there is no [d]revelation, the people cast off restraint;
But (O)happy is he who keeps the law.
19 A servant will not be corrected by mere words;
For though he understands, he will not respond.
20 Do you see a man hasty in his words?
(P)There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 He who pampers his servant from childhood
Will have him as a son in the end.
22 (Q)An angry man stirs up strife,
And a furious man abounds in transgression.
23 (R)A man’s pride will bring him low,
But the humble in spirit will retain honor.
24 Whoever is a partner with a thief hates his own life;
(S)He [e]swears to tell the truth, but reveals nothing.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:2 become great
- Proverbs 29:10 Lit. soul or life
- Proverbs 29:11 Lit. spirit
- Proverbs 29:18 prophetic vision
- Proverbs 29:24 Lit. hears the adjuration or oath
- Proverbs 29:25 secure, lit. set on high
- Proverbs 29:26 Lit. face
Proverbs 29
American Standard Version
29 He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck
Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2 When the righteous [a]are increased, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh.
3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father;
But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance.
4 The king by justice establisheth the land;
But [b]he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it.
5 A man that flattereth his neighbor
Spreadeth a net for his steps.
6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare;
But the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor;
The wicked [c]hath not understanding to know it.
8 Scoffers set a city in a flame;
But wise men turn away wrath.
9 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
- Proverbs 29:2 Or, are in authority
- Proverbs 29:4 Or, he that imposeth tribute. Hebrew a man of offerings.
- Proverbs 29:7 Or, understandeth not knowledge
- Proverbs 29:9 Or, He rageth and laugheth, and there is no rest
- Proverbs 29:10 Or, But the upright care for his soul
- Proverbs 29:11 Hebrew spirit.
- Proverbs 29:16 Or, are in authority
- Proverbs 29:19 Hebrew answer.
- Proverbs 29:20 Or, business
- Proverbs 29:21 The meaning of the word is doubtful.
- Proverbs 29:25 Hebrew shall be set on high.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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