Proverbs 29
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition
29 One who is often reproved, yet remains stubborn,
will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 A child who loves wisdom makes a parent glad,
but to keep company with prostitutes is to squander one’s substance.
4 By justice a king gives stability to the land,
but one who makes heavy exactions ruins it.
5 Whoever flatters a neighbour
is spreading a net for the neighbour’s feet.
6 In the transgression of the evil there is a snare,
but the righteous sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous know the rights of the poor;
the wicked have no such understanding.
8 Scoffers set a city aflame,
but the wise turn away wrath.
9 If the wise go to law with fools,
there is ranting and ridicule without relief.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the blameless,
and they seek the life of the upright.
11 A fool gives full vent to anger,
but the wise quietly holds it back.
12 If a ruler listens to falsehood,
all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common:
the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king judges the poor with equity,
his throne will be established for ever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom,
but a mother is disgraced by a neglected child.
16 When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases,
but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
17 Discipline your children, and they will give you rest;
they will give delight to your heart.
18 Where there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint,
but happy are those who keep the law.
19 By mere words servants are not disciplined,
for though they understand, they will not give heed.
20 Do you see someone who is hasty in speech?
There is more hope for a fool than for anyone like that.
21 A slave pampered from childhood
will come to a bad end.[a]
22 One given to anger stirs up strife,
and the hothead causes much transgression.
23 A person’s pride will bring humiliation,
but one who is lowly in spirit will obtain honour.
24 To be a partner of a thief is to hate one’s own life;
one hears the victim’s curse, but discloses nothing.[b]
25 The fear of others[c] lays a snare,
but one who trusts in the Lord is secure.
26 Many seek the favour of a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.
27 The unjust are an abomination to the righteous,
but the upright are an abomination to the wicked.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:21 Vg: Meaning of Heb uncertain
- Proverbs 29:24 Meaning of Heb uncertain
- Proverbs 29:25 Or human fear
Proverbs 29
King James Version
29 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the Lord lighteneth both their eyes.
14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.
26 Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the Lord.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
Proverbs 29
International Children’s Bible
29 Some people are still stubborn after they have been corrected many times.
But they will suddenly be hurt beyond cure.
2 When good people do well, everyone is happy.
But when evil people rule, everyone groans.
3 Whoever loves wisdom makes his father happy.
But the one who makes friends with prostitutes wastes his money.
4 If a king is fair, he makes his country strong.
But if he takes money dishonestly, he tears his country down.
5 Anyone who gives false praise to his neighbor
is setting a trap for him.
6 An evil person is trapped by his own sin.
But a good person can sing and be happy.
7 Good people are concerned that the poor are treated fairly.
But the wicked don’t care.
8 People who make fun of others cause trouble in a city.
But wise people calm anger down.
9 A wise man should not take a foolish person to court.
The fool will only shout or laugh at him. There will be no peace.
10 Murderers hate honest people.
But those who do right try to protect them.
11 A foolish person loses his temper.
But a wise person controls his anger.
12 If a ruler pays attention to lies,
then all his officers will become wicked.
13 The poor person and the cruel person are alike in this way:
The Lord gave eyes to both of them.
14 A king should judge poor people fairly.
Then his government will continue forever.
15 Punishment and correction make a child wise.
If he is left to do as he pleases, he will disgrace his mother.
16 When there are many wicked people, there is much sin.
But those who do right will see them destroyed.
17 Correct your child, and you will be proud of him.
He will give you pleasure.
18 Where there is no word from God, people are uncontrolled.
But those who obey what they have been taught are happy.
19 Words alone cannot correct a servant.
Even if he understands, he won’t respond.
20 Sometimes you see people who speak too quickly.
There is more hope for a foolish person than for them.
21 Don’t spoil your servant when he is young.
If you do, he will bring you grief later on.
22 An angry person causes trouble.
A person who easily gets angry sins a lot.
23 A man’s pride will ruin him.
But a person who is humble will be honored.
24 The partner of a thief is his own worst enemy.
He has to testify in court, but he is afraid to say anything.
25 Being afraid of people can get you into trouble.
But if you trust the Lord, you will be safe.
26 Many people want to be heard by a ruler.
But fairness comes from the Lord.
27 Good people hate those who are dishonest.
And the wicked hate those who are honest.
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993, 1995 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
