Proverbs 29
1 The man who, with a stiff neck, treats the one who corrects him with contempt will be suddenly overwhelmed to his own destruction, and reason shall not follow him.
A person who has received many rebukes but who stiffens his neck will be broken in a moment beyond healing.
2 When just men are multiplied, the common people shall rejoice. When the impious take up the leadership, the people shall mourn.
When righteous people increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked person is the ruler, the people sigh.
3 The man who loves wisdom rejoices his father. But whoever nurtures promiscuous women will lose his substance.
Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, but he who keeps company with prostitutes destroys his wealth.
4 A just king guides the land. A man of avarice will destroy it.
The king establishes the land by justice, but the one who demands bribes tears it down.
5 A man who speaks to his friend with flattering and feigned words spreads a net for his own feet.
A man who flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet.
6 A snare will entangle the iniquitous when he sins. And the just shall praise and be glad.
In the sin of an evil person is a trap, but the righteous person sings and rejoices.
7 The just knows the case of the poor. The impious is ignorant of knowledge.
The righteous person knows the rights of the poor; the wicked person does not understand such knowledge.
8 Pestilent men squander a city. Yet truly, the wise avert fury.
Mockers set a city on fire, but those who are wise turn away wrath.
9 A wise man, if he were to contend with the foolish, whether in anger or in laughter, would find no rest.
When a wise person has an argument with a fool, he rages and laughs, and there will be no rest.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate the simple one; but the just seek out his soul.
The bloodthirsty hate the one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright.
11 A foolish one offers everything on his mind. A wise one reserves and defers until later.
A fool reveals all his anger, but a wise man holds it back and calms himself down.
12 A leader who freely listens to lying words has only impious servants.
If a ruler pays attention to lies, all his officials will be wicked.
13 The pauper and the creditor have met one another. The Lord is the illuminator of them both.
The poor person and the oppressor are similar, for Yahweh gives light to the eyes of them both.
14 The king who judges the poor in truth, his throne shall be secured in eternity.
If a king judges the poor by the truth, his throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and its correction distribute wisdom. But the child who is left to his own will, brings shame to his mother.
The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child freed from discipline puts his mother to shame.
16 When the impious are multiplied, crimes will be multiplied. But the just shall see their ruin.
When wicked people are in power, transgression increases, but righteous people will see the downfall of those wicked people.
17 Teach your son, and he will refresh you, and he will give delight to your soul.
Discipline your son and he will give you rest; he will bring delights into your life.
18 When prophecy fails, the people will be scattered. Yet truly, whoever guards the law is blessed.
Where there is no prophetic vision the people run wild, but the one who keeps the law is blessed.
19 A servant cannot be taught by words, because he understands what you say, but he disdains to respond.
A slave will not be corrected by words, for though he understands, there will be no response.
20 Have you seen a man rushing to speak? Foolishness has more hope than his correction.
See a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 Whoever nurtures his servant delicately from childhood, afterwards will find him defiant.
One who pampers his slave from youth, at the end of it there will be trouble.
22 A short-tempered man provokes quarrels. And whoever is easily angered is more likely to sin.
An angry person stirs up strife and a master of rage commits many sins.
23 Humiliation follows the arrogant. And glory shall uphold the humble in spirit.
A person's pride brings him low, but one who has a humble spirit will be given honor.
24 Whoever participates with a thief hates his own soul; for he listens to his oath and does not denounce him.
One who shares with a thief hates his own life; he hears the curse and says nothing.
25 Whoever fears man will quickly fall. Whoever hopes in the Lord shall be lifted up.
The fear of man makes a snare, but the one who trusts in Yahweh will be protected.
26 Many demand the face of the leader. But the judgment of each one proceeds from the Lord.
Many are those who seek the face of the ruler, but from Yahweh is justice for a person.
27 The just abhor an impious man. And the impious abhor those who are on the right way. By keeping the word, the son shall be free from perdition.
An unjust man is an abomination to righteous people, but the one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked person.
