Proverbs 29
1 A man hating sharp words and making his heart hard, will suddenly be broken and will not be made well again.
A person who has received many rebukes but who stiffens his neck will be broken in a moment beyond healing.
2 When the upright have power, the people are glad; when an evil man is ruler, grief comes on the people.
When righteous people increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked person is the ruler, the people sigh.
3 A man who is a lover of wisdom is a joy to his father: but he who goes in the company of loose women is a waster of wealth.
Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, but he who keeps company with prostitutes destroys his wealth.
4 A king, by right rule, makes the land safe; but one full of desires makes it a waste.
The king establishes the land by justice, but the one who demands bribes tears it down.
5 A man who says smooth things to his neighbour is stretching out a net for his steps.
A man who flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet.
6 In the steps of an evil man there is a net for him, but the upright man gets away quickly and is glad.
In the sin of an evil person is a trap, but the righteous person sings and rejoices.
7 The upright man gives attention to the cause of the poor: the evil-doer gives no thought to it.
The righteous person knows the rights of the poor; the wicked person does not understand such knowledge.
8 Men of pride are the cause of violent acts in a town, but by wise men wrath is turned away.
Mockers set a city on fire, but those who are wise turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man goes to law with a foolish man, he may be angry or laughing, but there will be no rest.
When a wise person has an argument with a fool, he rages and laughs, and there will be no rest.
10 Men of blood are haters of the good man, and evil-doers go after his soul.
The bloodthirsty hate the one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright.
11 A foolish man lets out all his wrath, but a wise man keeps it back quietly.
A fool reveals all his anger, but a wise man holds it back and calms himself down.
12 If a ruler gives attention to false words, all his servants are evil-doers.
If a ruler pays attention to lies, all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor man and his creditor come face to face: the Lord gives light to their eyes equally.
The poor person and the oppressor are similar, for Yahweh gives light to the eyes of them both.
14 The king who is a true judge in the cause of the poor, will be safe for ever on the seat of his power.
If a king judges the poor by the truth, his throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and sharp words give wisdom: but a child who is not guided is a cause of shame to his mother.
The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child freed from discipline puts his mother to shame.
16 When evil men are in power, wrongdoing is increased; but the upright will have pleasure when they see their downfall.
When wicked people are in power, transgression increases, but righteous people will see the downfall of those wicked people.
17 Give your son training, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your soul.
Discipline your son and he will give you rest; he will bring delights into your life.
18 Where there is no vision, the people are uncontrolled; but he who keeps the law will be happy.
Where there is no prophetic vision the people run wild, but the one who keeps the law is blessed.
19 A servant will not be trained by words; for though the sense of the words is clear to him, he will not give attention.
A slave will not be corrected by words, for though he understands, there will be no response.
20 Have you seen a man who is quick with his tongue? There is more hope for a foolish man than for him.
See a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 If a servant is gently cared for from his early years, he will become a cause of sorrow in the end.
One who pampers his slave from youth, at the end of it there will be trouble.
22 An angry man is the cause of fighting, and a man given to wrath does much wrong.
An angry person stirs up strife and a master of rage commits many sins.
23 A man's pride will be the cause of his fall, but he who has a gentle spirit will get honour.
A person's pride brings him low, but one who has a humble spirit will be given honor.
24 A man who takes part with a thief has hate for his soul; he is put under oath, but says nothing.
One who shares with a thief hates his own life; he hears the curse and says nothing.
25 The fear of man is a cause of danger: but whoever puts his faith in the Lord will have a safe place on high.
The fear of man makes a snare, but the one who trusts in Yahweh will be protected.
26 The approval of a ruler is desired by great numbers: but the decision in a man's cause comes from the Lord.
Many are those who seek the face of the ruler, but from Yahweh is justice for a person.
27 An evil man is disgusting to the upright, and he who is upright is disgusting to evil-doers.
An unjust man is an abomination to righteous people, but the one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked person.
