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
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
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
