Proverbs 29
1 The man that with a stiff neck despiseth him that reproveth him, shall suddenly be destroyed: and health 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 increase, the people shall rejoice: when the wicked shall bear rule, the people shall mourn.
When righteous people increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked person is the ruler, the people sigh.
3 A man that loveth wisdom, rejoiceth his father: but he that maintaineth bar lots, shall squander away his substance.
Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, but he who keeps company with prostitutes destroys his wealth.
4 A just king setteth up the land: a covetous man shall destroy it.
The king establishes the land by justice, but the one who demands bribes tears it down.
5 A man that speaketh to his friend with flattering and dissembling words, spreadeth a net for his feet.
A man who flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet.
6 A snare shall entangle the wicked man when he sinneth: and the just shall praise and rejoice.
In the sin of an evil person is a trap, but the righteous person sings and rejoices.
7 The just taketh notice of the cause of the poor: the wicked is void of knowledge.
The righteous person knows the rights of the poor; the wicked person does not understand such knowledge.
8 Corrupt men bring a city to ruin: but wise men turn away wrath.
Mockers set a city on fire, but those who are wise turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man contend with a fool, whether he be angry or laugh, he shall 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 upright: but just men seek his soul.
The bloodthirsty hate the one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright.
11 A fool uttereth all his mind: a wise man deferreth, and keepeth it till afterwards.
A fool reveals all his anger, but a wise man holds it back and calms himself down.
12 A prince that gladly heareth lying words, hath all his servants wicked.
If a ruler pays attention to lies, all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor man and the creditor have met one another: the Lord is the enlightener of them both.
The poor person and the oppressor are similar, for Yahweh gives light to the eyes of them both.
14 The king that judgeth the poor in truth, his throne shall be established for ever.
If a king judges the poor by the truth, his throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but the child that is left to his own will bringeth his mother to shame.
The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child freed from discipline puts his mother to shame.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, crimes shall be multiplied: but the just shall see their downfall.
When wicked people are in power, transgression increases, but righteous people will see the downfall of those wicked people.
17 Instruct thy son, and he shall refresh thee, and shall give delight to thy soul.
Discipline your son and he will give you rest; he will bring delights into your life.
18 When prophecy shall fail, the people shall be scattered abroad: but he that keepeth 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 slave will not be corrected by words: because he understandeth what thou sayest, and will not answer.
A slave will not be corrected by words, for though he understands, there will be no response.
20 Hast thou seen a man hasty to speak? folly is rather to be looked for, than his amendment.
See a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 He that nourisheth his servant delicately from his childhood, afterwards shall find him stubborn.
One who pampers his slave from youth, at the end of it there will be trouble.
22 A passionate man provoketh quarrels: and he that is easily stirred up to wrath, shall be more prone to sin.
An angry person stirs up strife and a master of rage commits many sins.
23 Humiliation followeth the proud: and glory shall uphold the humble of spirit.
A person's pride brings him low, but one who has a humble spirit will be given honor.
24 He that is partaker with a thief, hateth his own soul: he heareth one putting him to his oath, and discovereth not.
One who shares with a thief hates his own life; he hears the curse and says nothing.
25 He that feareth man, shall quickly fall: he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be set on high.
The fear of man makes a snare, but the one who trusts in Yahweh will be protected.
26 Many seek the face of the prince: but the judgment of every one cometh forth 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 the wicked man: and the wicked loathe them that are in the right way. The son that keepeth the word, shall be free from destruction.
An unjust man is an abomination to righteous people, but the one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked person.
