Proverbs 29

Tree of Life Version

⁴ By justice a king brings stability to a land,
but one who takes bribes brings it ruin.

⁵ A man who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet.

⁶ In an evil man’s wrongdoing is a trap,
but the righteous sings and rejoices.
⁷ A righteous person considers justice for the poor.
The wicked one has no such concern.
⁸ Mockers incite a city,
but wise men turn away anger.
⁹ If a wise man argues with a foolish man,
he rants or laughs, with no resolution.
¹⁰ Bloodthirsty people hate a man of integrity
and seek the soul of the upright.
¹¹ A fool gives full vent to his temper,
but a wise man holds it back.

¹² If a ruler listens to lies,
all his servants will be wicked.

¹³ The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
Adonai gives light to the eyes of both.

¹⁴ If a king judges the poor with truth,
his throne will always be secure.

¹⁵ A rod and reproof give wisdom,
but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.

¹⁶ When the wicked thrive, wrongdoing increases,
but the righteous will see their downfall.

¹⁷ Correct your son and he will give you rest.
He will bring delight to your soul.

¹⁸ Where there is no divine vision people cast off restraint,
but blessed is the one who keeps Torah.

¹⁹ A servant cannot be corrected by words,
for though he understands, he will not respond.
²⁰ Do you see someone hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than him.

²¹ If someone pampers his slave from childhood
in the end he will be ungrateful.

²² An angry man stirs up dissention,
and a hotheaded one commits many transgressions.

²³ A man’s pride will bring him low,
but a humble spirit will gain honor.
²⁴ An accomplice of a thief is his own enemy.
He hears the oath but says nothing.

²⁵ Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but one who trusts in Adonai will be kept safe.
²⁶ Many seek an audience with a ruler,
but from Adonai one receives justice.
²⁷ The righteous detest the unjust,
and the wicked detest the upright.