Proverbs 29
1 A man often reproved, hardening the neck, Is suddenly broken, and there is no healing.
A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.
2 In the multiplying of the righteous the people rejoice, And in the ruling of the wicked the people sigh.
When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 A man loving wisdom makes his father glad, And a friend of harlots destroys wealth.
A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 A king establishes a land by judgment, And one receiving gifts throws it down.
By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it.
5 A man taking a portion above his neighbor, Spreads a net for his own steps.
A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
6 A snare [is] in the transgression of the evil, And the righteous sing and rejoice.
An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one sings and rejoices.
7 The righteous knows the plea of the poor, The wicked does not understand knowledge.
The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns.
8 Men of scorning ensnare a city, And the wise turn back anger.
Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger.
9 A wise man is judged by the foolish man, And he has been angry, And he has laughed, and there is no rest.
If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution.
10 Men of blood hate the perfect, And the upright seek his soul.
Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.
11 A fool brings out all his mind, And the wise restrains it until afterward.
A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.
12 A ruler who is attending to lying words, All his ministers [are] wicked.
If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor and the man of frauds have met together, YHWH is enlightening the eyes of them both.
The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
14 A king that is judging the poor with truth, His throne is established forever.
A king who judges the poor with fairness— his throne will be established forever.
15 A rod and reproof give wisdom, And a youth let away is shaming his mother.
A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
16 In the multiplying of the wicked transgression multiplies, And the righteous look on their fall.
When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Discipline your son, and he gives you comfort, Indeed, he gives delights to your soul.
Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul.
18 A people is made naked without a vision, And whoever is keeping the Law, O his blessedness!
Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law.
19 By words a servant is not instructed though he understand, And there is nothing answering.
A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond.
20 You have seen a man hasty in his words! More hope of a fool than of him.
Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 Whoever is bringing up his servant delicately, from youth, [At] his latter end he is also continuator.
A servant pampered from his youth will bring grief in the end.
22 An angry man stirs up contention, And a furious man is multiplying transgression.
An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
23 The pride of man humbles him, And humility of spirit upholds honor.
A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
24 Whoever is sharing with a thief is hating his own soul, He hears execration, and does not tell.
A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath, but does not testify.
25 Fear of man causes a snare, And the confident in YHWH is set on high.
The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.
26 Many are seeking the face of a ruler, And the judgment of each [is] from YHWH.
Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.
27 The perverse man [is] an abomination to the righteous, And the upright in the way [is] an abomination to the wicked!
An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.
