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29 He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck
    will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.
When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;
    but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father;
    but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
The king by justice makes the land stable,
    but he who takes bribes tears it down.
A man who flatters his neighbor
    spreads a net for his feet.
An evil man is snared by his sin,
    but the righteous can sing and be glad.
The righteous care about justice for the poor.
    The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge.
Mockers stir up a city,
    but wise men turn away anger.
If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man,
    the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.
10 The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity;
    and they seek the life of the upright.
11 A fool vents all of his anger,
    but a wise man brings himself under control.
12 If a ruler listens to lies,
    all of his officials are wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
    Yahweh gives sight to the eyes of both.
14 The king who fairly judges the poor,
    his throne shall be established forever.
15 The rod of correction gives wisdom,
    but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked increase, sin increases;
    but the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Correct your son, and he will give you peace;
    yes, he will bring delight to your soul.
18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
    but one who keeps the law is blessed.
19 A servant can’t be corrected by words.
    Though he understands, yet he will not respond.
20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
    There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 He who pampers his servant from youth
    will have him become a son in the end.
22 An angry man stirs up strife,
    and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
23 A man’s pride brings him low,
    but one of lowly spirit gains honor.
24 Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul.
    He takes an oath, but dares not testify.
25 The fear of man proves to be a snare,
    but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe.
26 Many seek the ruler’s favor,
    but a man’s justice comes from Yahweh.
27 A dishonest man detests the righteous,
    and the upright in their ways detest the wicked.

29 One who stays stubborn after many corrections
    will be suddenly broken, beyond healing.
When the righteous become numerous, the people rejoice,
    but when the wicked dominate, the people moan.
A man who loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,
    but one who spends time with prostitutes destroys riches.
A king gives stability to the land by justice,
    but one who imposes heavy taxes tears it down.
People who flatter their friends
    spread out a net for their feet.
The wicked are snared by their own sin;[a]
    the righteous sing and rejoice.
The righteous know the rights of the poor,
    but the wicked don’t understand.
Mockers set a city on fire,
    but the wise turn back anger.
When the wise make a legal charge against the foolish,
    the fools shout, they laugh—there is no calm.
10 Murderous people hate the innocent,
    and they seek the lives of the virtuous.
11 Fools show all their anger,
    but the wise hold it back.
12 If a ruler listens to lies,
    those who serve him will be wicked.
13 The poor and their oppressors have a common bond—
    the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king judges the poor honestly,
    his throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and correction lead to wisdom,
    but children out of control shame their mothers.
16 When the wicked become numerous, so do crimes;
    the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Instruct your children; they will give you peace of mind
    and bring delight into your life.
18 When there’s no vision, the people get out of control,
    but whoever obeys instruction is happy.
19 Servants aren’t disciplined by words;
    they might understand, but they don’t respond.
20 Do you see people who are quick to speak?
    There is more hope for fools than for them.
21 Pamper servants from a young age,
    and later on there will be trouble.
22 Angry people stir up conflict;
    hotheads cause much offense.
23 Pride lays people low,
    but those of humble spirit gain honor.
24 Those who share plunder with thieves hate themselves;
    even under oath, they don’t testify.
25 People are trapped by their fear of others;
    those who trust the Lord are secure.
26 Many seek access to the ruler,
    but justice comes from the Lord.
27 The unjust person is disgusting to the righteous;
    the straight path is disgusting to the wicked.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:6 Tg, Syr; MT In the sin of an evil man is a snare