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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.

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.

When the righteous [a]are in authority, the (B)people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, (C)the people groan.

Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,
But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.

The king establishes the land by justice,
But he who receives bribes overthrows it.

A man who (D)flatters his neighbor
Spreads a net for his feet.

By transgression an evil man is snared,
But the righteous sings and rejoices.

The righteous (E)considers the cause of the poor,
But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.

Scoffers (F)set a city aflame,
But wise men turn away wrath.

If a wise man contends with a foolish man,
(G)Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.

10 (H)The bloodthirsty hate the blameless,
But the upright seek his [b]well-being.

11 A fool vents all his (I)feelings,[c]
But a wise man holds them back.

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.

25 (T)The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be [f]safe.

26 (U)Many seek the ruler’s [g]favor,
But justice for man comes from the Lord.

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

  1. Proverbs 29:2 become great
  2. Proverbs 29:10 Lit. soul or life
  3. Proverbs 29:11 Lit. spirit
  4. Proverbs 29:18 prophetic vision
  5. Proverbs 29:24 Lit. hears the adjuration or oath
  6. Proverbs 29:25 secure, lit. set on high
  7. Proverbs 29:26 Lit. face