Proverbs 29
International Standard Version
Advice on Life and Justice
29 After many rebukes, the stiff-necked man
will be broken incurably, without any warning.
2 As the righteous grow powerful,[a] people rejoice;
but when the wicked rule, people groan.
3 The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but anyone who consorts with immoral women squanders his wealth.
4 A king brings stability to a land through justice,
but a man who takes bribes brings it to ruin.
5 A strong man who flatters his neighbor
is setting a trap where he walks.[b]
The Wicked and Righteous Contrasted
6 An evil man is trapped by transgression,
but the righteous person sings and rejoices.
7 The righteous person is concerned about the poor;
but the wicked don’t understand what they need to know.[c]
8 Scornful men enflame a city,
but the wise defuse anger.
9 When a wise man has a dispute with a fool,
the fool either rages or laughs without relief.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate the innocent person,
but the upright show concern for his life.
12 When a ruler is listening to lies,
all of his officials tend to become wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:[f]
the Lord gave them both eyes with which to see.[g]
14 When a king faithfully administers justice to the poor,
his throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and rebuke bestow wisdom,
but an undisciplined child[h] brings shame to his mother.
16 As the wicked grow powerful,[i] transgression increases,
but the righteous will observe their downfall.
17 Correct your son and he will comfort you;
he will also delight your soul.
18 Without prophetic vision, people abandon restraint,
but those who obey the Law are happy.
Dangerous Behaviors
19 By mere words a servant will not be corrected;
even though he understands,
there will be no response.
20 Do you see a man who speaks hastily?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 If you pamper a servant from his childhood,
later on he’ll become ungrateful.
22 An angry man stirs up arguments,
and a hot-tempered man causes many transgressions.
23 A person’s pride will bring about his downfall,
but the humble in spirit will gain honor.
24 A thief’s accomplice hates himself;
though testifying under oath,[j] he reveals nothing.
25 Fearing any human being is a trap,
but confiding in the Lord keeps anyone safe.
26 Many seek a ruler’s favor,[k]
but justice for a man comes from the Lord.
27 The unjust man is detestable to the righteous,
and whoever lives blamelessly is detestable to the wicked.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:2 The Heb. lacks powerful
- Proverbs 29:5 Lit. trap for his footsteps
- Proverbs 29:7 Lit. understand knowledge
- Proverbs 29:11 Lit. spirit
- Proverbs 29:11 The Heb. lacks to himself
- Proverbs 29:13 Lit. oppressor meet together
- Proverbs 29:13 Lit. Lord lights the eyes of both
- Proverbs 29:15 Lit. but a child left alone
- Proverbs 29:16 The Heb. lacks powerful
- Proverbs 29:24 Lit. though he hears the oath
- Proverbs 29:26 Lit. face
Proverbs 29
New King James Version
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.
2 When the righteous [a]are in authority, the (B)people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, (C)the people groan.
3 Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,
But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.
4 The king establishes the land by justice,
But he who receives bribes overthrows it.
5 A man who (D)flatters his neighbor
Spreads a net for his feet.
6 By transgression an evil man is snared,
But the righteous sings and rejoices.
7 The righteous (E)considers the cause of the poor,
But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.
8 Scoffers (F)set a city aflame,
But wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man contends with a foolish man,
(G)Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.
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.
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
- Proverbs 29:2 become great
- Proverbs 29:10 Lit. soul or life
- Proverbs 29:11 Lit. spirit
- Proverbs 29:18 prophetic vision
- Proverbs 29:24 Lit. hears the adjuration or oath
- Proverbs 29:25 secure, lit. set on high
- Proverbs 29:26 Lit. face
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
