Proverbs 29
1 He who, being often reproved, hardens his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Some people remain stubborn [IDM] [even] though they are often reproved/warned [about doing what is wrong], [but some day] they will be crushed/ruined, and nothing will be able to heal them.
2 When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man bears rule, the people sigh.
When righteous [people] are rulers, people are happy, but when wicked [people] rule, people (groan/are miserable).
3 He who loves wisdom delights his father, but he who keeps company with harlots wastes his substance.
Those who are eager to become wise cause their parents to be glad; those who spend their time with prostitutes will end up giving all their money to them.
4 By justice the king establishes the land, but he who exacts gifts overthrows it.
When a king rules justly/fairly, he causes his nation to be strong, but a king who is concerned [only] with getting more money from the people ruins his nation.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his steps.
Those who (flatter others/say nice things to others [merely] to cause them to feel good) are really setting a trap for them (OR, for themselves) [SYN].
6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare, but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
Evil people will be trapped by the sins that they commit, but righteous/honest people will sing and be joyful/happy.
7 A righteous man takes knowledge of the cause of the poor. A wicked man has no such understanding to know.
Righteous/Good people know that poor [people] should be treated fairly/justly, [but] wicked people (are not concerned about/do not pay attention to) those matters at all.
8 Scoffers set a city in a flame, but wise men turn away wrath.
Those who make fun of [everything that is good say things that] cause [everyone in] the city to (be agitated/in turmoil); those who are wise enable [people] to remain calm.
9 If a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest.
If a wise person sues a foolish person, the foolish person merely laughs [at him] and yells [at him] and will not be quiet (OR, [the dispute will] not be resolved).
10 Bloodthirsty men hate him who is perfect, but the upright seek his soul.
Those who murder others hate people who (are honest/always do what is right), but righteous [people] try to protect them.
11 A fool utters all his anger, but a wise man keeps it back and calms it.
People who are wise are patient and restrain/control themselves when they are angry, but foolish people (quickly show others that they are very angry/do not restrain themselves at all).
12 If a ruler hearkens to falsehood, all his servants are wicked.
If a ruler (pays attention to/believes) [people who tell] lies, all his officials will [also] become wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together. Jehovah enlightens the eyes of them both.
There is one thing that is true about both poor people and those who oppress them: Yahweh enables all of them to see.
14 The king who faithfully judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever.
If kings judge poor [people] fairly, they will continue to rule for a long time.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.
If children are punished/spanked and reproved/warned, they become wise; but if they are allowed to do whatever they want to do, they [do things that] cause their mothers to be ashamed of them.
16 When the wicked are increased, transgression increases, but the righteous shall look upon their fall.
When wicked [people] rule, there are more crimes committed {people commit more crimes}, but [some day] those wicked people will (be defeated/no longer rule), and righteous [people] will see that happen.
17 Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest, yea, he will give delight to thy soul.
If you discipline your children, they will no longer [do things that] will cause you to be worried; instead, they [will do things that] will delight you [SYN].
18 Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint, but he who keeps the law, happy is he.
When the people [of a nation] do not receive messages that come directly from God, they do not control their behavior. [God] is pleased with those who obey his laws.
19 A servant will not be corrected by words, for though he understands, he will not give heed.
It is not possible to correct/discipline servants only by talking to them; they understand what you are saying, but they do not pay attention to it.
20 See thou a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
[God] can help/bless foolish people more easily [RHQ] than he can help/bless people who speak without thinking first.
21 He who brings up his servant gently from childhood shall have him become a son at the last.
If someone gives his servants everything that they want, starting from when they are young, some day those servants will take from him everything that he owns.
22 An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in transgression.
Those who [quickly] become angry cause [many] arguments, and they [also] commit many sins.
23 A man's pride shall bring him low, but he who is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor.
Proud people will be disgraced; those who are humble will be respected.
24 He who is partner with a thief hates his own soul; he hears the adjuration and utters nothing.
Those who help thieves [to steal] only hurt themselves; [when they are in court], they solemnly ask [God] to curse them [if they do not tell the truth], but they do not tell the truth [about the crime that was committed], [and as a result, God will curse them].
25 The fear of man brings a snare, but he who puts his trust in Jehovah shall be safe.
It is [like] a dangerous trap [MET] [for people] to be (afraid of/worried about) what others will think about them, but those who trust in Yahweh are safe/protected.
26 Many seek the ruler's favor, but a man's justice is from Jehovah.
Many [people] request rulers to do things to help them, but Yahweh is [the only one] who surely does for people what is fair/just.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, and he who is upright in the way is an abomination to a wicked man.
Righteous [people] hate/detest those who do what is evil, and wicked [people] hate [those whose behavior is always] good.
