Proverbs 29
1 A reprover is better than a stiff-necked man: for when the latter is suddenly set on fire, there shall be no remedy.
He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.
2 When the righteous are praised, the people will rejoice: but when the ungodly rule, men mourn.
When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 When a man loves wisdom, his father rejoices: but he that keeps harlots will waste wealth.
Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 A righteous king establishes a country: but a transgressor destroys [it].
The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down.
5 He that prepares a net in the way of his own friend, entangles his own feet in it.
A man who flatters his neighbour spreads a net for his feet.
6 A great snare [is spread] for a sinner: but the righteous shall be in joy and gladness.
An evil man is snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing and be glad.
7 A righteous man knows how to judge for the poor: but the ungodly understands not knowledge; and the poor man has not an understanding mind.
The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge.
8 Lawless men burn down a city: but wise men turn away wrath.
Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.
9 A wise man shall judge nations: but a worthless man being angry laughs and fears not.
If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.
10 Bloody men hate a holy [person], but the upright will seek his soul.
The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright.
11 A fool utters all is mind: but the wise reserves his in part.
A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.
12 When a king hearkens to unjust language, all his subjects are transgressors.
If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked.
13 When the creditor and debtor meet together, the Lord oversees them both.
The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.
14 When a king judges the poor in truth, his throne shall be established for a testimony.
The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever.
15 Stripes and reproofs give wisdom: but an erring child disgraces his parents.
The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.
16 When the ungodly abound, sins abound: but when they fall, the righteous are warned.
When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Chasten thy son, and he shall give thee rest; and he shall give honour to thy soul.
Correct your son, and he will give you peace; yes, he will bring delight to your soul.
18 There shall be no interpreter to a sinful nation: but he that observes the law is blessed.
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the law is blessed.
19 A stubborn servant will not be reproved by words: for even if he understands, still he will not obey.
A servant can’t be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet he will not respond.
20 If thou see a man hasty in [his] words, know that the fool has hope rather than he.
Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 He that lives wantonly from a child, shall be a servant, and in the end shall grieve over himself.
He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end.
22 A furious man stirs up strife, and a passionate man digs up sin.
An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
23 Pride brings a man low, but the Lord upholds the humble-minded with honour.
A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honour.
24 He that shares with a thief, hates his own soul: and if any having heard an oath uttered tell not of it,
Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify.
25 [they] fearing and reverencing men [unreasonably] have been overthrown, but he that trusts in the Lord shall rejoice. Ungodliness causes a man to stumble: but he that trusts in his master shall be safe.
The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in the LORD is kept safe.
26 Many wait on the favour of rulers; but justice comes to a man from the Lord.
Many seek the ruler’s favour, but a man’s justice comes from the LORD.
27 A righteous man is an abomination to an unrighteous man, and the direct way is an abomination to the sinner.
A dishonest man detests the righteous, and the upright in their ways detest the wicked.
