Proverbs 29
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
29 One who is often reproved, yet remains stubborn,
will suddenly be broken beyond healing.(A)
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, the people groan.(B)
3 A child who loves wisdom makes a parent glad,
but a companion of prostitutes destroys wealth.(C)
4 By justice a king gives stability to the land,
but one who makes heavy exactions ruins it.
5 Whoever flatters a neighbor
is spreading a net for the neighbor’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.(D)
8 Scoffers set a city aflame,
but the wise turn away wrath.(E)
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.(F)
11 A fool gives full vent to anger,
but the wise quietly holds it back.(G)
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.(H)
14 If a king judges the poor with equity,
his throne will be established forever.(I)
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom,
but a mother is disgraced by a neglected child.(J)
16 When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases,
but the righteous will look upon their downfall.(K)
17 Discipline your children, and they will give you rest;
they will give delight to your heart.(L)
18 Where there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint,
but happy are those who keep the law.(M)
19 By mere words slaves 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.(N)
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.(O)
23 A person’s pride will bring humiliation,
but one who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.(P)
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](Q)
25 The fear of others[c] lays a snare,
but one who trusts in the Lord is secure.(R)
26 Many seek the favor of a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.(S)
27 The unjust are an abomination to the righteous,
but the upright are an abomination to the wicked.
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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