Proverbs 29:3-24

English Standard Version

³ He who ^(A)loves wisdom makes his father glad,
    but ^(B)a companion of prostitutes ^(C)squanders his wealth.
⁴ By justice a king ^(D)builds up the land,
    but he who exacts gifts^[a] tears it down.
^5 (E)A man who flatters his neighbor
    spreads ^(F)a net for his feet.
⁶ An evil man is ^(G)ensnared in his transgression,
    but a righteous man ^(H)sings and rejoices.
⁷ A righteous man ^(I)knows the rights of the poor;
    a wicked man does not ^(J)understand such knowledge.
^8 (K)Scoffers set a city aflame,
    but the wise turn away wrath.
⁹ If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
    the fool only rages and laughs, and there is ^(L)no quiet.
¹⁰ Bloodthirsty men ^(M)hate one who is blameless
    and seek the life of the upright.^[b]
11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
    but a wise man quietly holds it back.
¹² If a ruler listens to falsehood,
    all his officials will be wicked.
¹³ The poor man and the oppressor ^(N)meet together;
    the Lord ^(O)gives light to the eyes of both.
¹⁴ If a king ^(P)faithfully judges the poor,
    his throne will ^(Q)be established forever.
^15 (R)The rod and reproof give wisdom,
    but a child left to himself ^(S)brings shame to his mother.
¹⁶ When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
    but ^(T)the righteous will look upon their downfall.
^17 (U)Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
    he will give delight to your heart.
¹⁸ Where ^(V)there is no prophetic vision the people ^(W)cast off restraint,^[c]
    but blessed is he who ^(X)keeps the law.
¹⁹ By mere words a servant is not disciplined,
    for though he understands, he will not respond.
²⁰ Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
    ^(Y)There is more hope for a fool than for him.
²¹ Whoever pampers his servant from childhood
    will in the end find him his heir.^[d]
22 (Z)A man of wrath stirs up strife,
    and one given to anger causes much transgression.
^23 (AA)One's pride will bring him low,
    ^(AB)but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
²⁴ The partner of a thief ^(AC)hates his own life;
    ^(AD)he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.