Proverbs 29
1 A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.
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 flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
When righteous [people] are rulers, people are happy, but when wicked [people] rule, people (groan/are miserable).
3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
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 a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes 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 feet.
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 An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one 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 The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns.
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 Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger.
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 goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution.
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 Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.
Those who murder others hate people who (are honest/always do what is right), but righteous [people] try to protect them.
11 A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.
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 listens to lies, all his officials will be 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 have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of 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 A king who judges the poor with fairness— his throne will be established forever.
If kings judge poor [people] fairly, they will continue to rule for a long time.
15 A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces 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 thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
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 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your 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 blessed is he who keeps the Law.
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 cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond.
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 Do you see a man who speaks in haste? 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 A servant pampered from his youth will bring grief in the end.
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 dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
Those who [quickly] become angry cause [many] arguments, and they [also] commit many sins.
23 A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
Proud people will be disgraced; those who are humble will be respected.
24 A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath, but does not testify.
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 is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.
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 receives justice from the LORD.
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 detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.
Righteous [people] hate/detest those who do what is evil, and wicked [people] hate [those whose behavior is always] good.
