Proverbs 29
1 A man often reproved, hardening the neck, Is suddenly broken, and there is no healing.
A man hating sharp words and making his heart hard, will suddenly be broken and will not be made well again.
2 In the multiplying of the righteous the people rejoice, And in the ruling of the wicked the people sigh.
When the upright have power, the people are glad; when an evil man is ruler, grief comes on the people.
3 A man loving wisdom makes his father glad, And a friend of harlots destroys wealth.
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.
4 A king establishes a land by judgment, And one receiving gifts throws it down.
A king, by right rule, makes the land safe; but one full of desires makes it a waste.
5 A man taking a portion above his neighbor, Spreads a net for his own steps.
A man who says smooth things to his neighbour is stretching out a net for his steps.
6 A snare [is] in the transgression of the evil, And the righteous sing and rejoice.
In the steps of an evil man there is a net for him, but the upright man gets away quickly and is glad.
7 The righteous knows the plea of the poor, The wicked does not understand knowledge.
The upright man gives attention to the cause of the poor: the evil-doer gives no thought to it.
8 Men of scorning ensnare a city, And the wise turn back anger.
Men of pride are the cause of violent acts in a town, but by wise men wrath is turned away.
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 law with a foolish man, he may be angry or laughing, but there will be no rest.
10 Men of blood hate the perfect, And the upright seek his soul.
Men of blood are haters of the good man, and evil-doers go after his soul.
11 A fool brings out all his mind, And the wise restrains it until afterward.
A foolish man lets out all his wrath, but a wise man keeps it back quietly.
12 A ruler who is attending to lying words, All his ministers [are] wicked.
If a ruler gives attention to false words, all his servants are evil-doers.
13 The poor and the man of frauds have met together, YHWH is enlightening the eyes of them both.
The poor man and his creditor come face to face: the Lord gives light to their eyes equally.
14 A king that is judging the poor with truth, His throne is established forever.
The king who is a true judge in the cause of the poor, will be safe for ever on the seat of his power.
15 A rod and reproof give wisdom, And a youth let away is shaming his mother.
The rod and sharp words give wisdom: but a child who is not guided is a cause of shame to his mother.
16 In the multiplying of the wicked transgression multiplies, And the righteous look on their fall.
When evil men are in power, wrongdoing is increased; but the upright will have pleasure when they see their downfall.
17 Discipline your son, and he gives you comfort, Indeed, he gives delights to your soul.
Give your son training, and he will give you rest; he will give 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 are uncontrolled; but he who keeps the law will be happy.
19 By words a servant is not instructed though he understand, And there is nothing answering.
A servant will not be trained by words; for though the sense of the words is clear to him, he will not give attention.
20 You have seen a man hasty in his words! More hope of a fool than of him.
Have you seen a man who is quick with his tongue? There is more hope for a foolish man than for him.
21 Whoever is bringing up his servant delicately, from youth, [At] his latter end he is also continuator.
If a servant is gently cared for from his early years, he will become a cause of sorrow in the end.
22 An angry man stirs up contention, And a furious man is multiplying transgression.
An angry man is the cause of fighting, and a man given to wrath does much wrong.
23 The pride of man humbles him, And humility of spirit upholds honor.
A man's pride will be the cause of his fall, but he who has a gentle spirit will get honour.
24 Whoever is sharing with a thief is hating his own soul, He hears execration, and does not tell.
A man who takes part with a thief has hate for his soul; he is put under oath, but says nothing.
25 Fear of man causes a snare, And the confident in YHWH is set on high.
The fear of man is a cause of danger: but whoever puts his faith in the Lord will have a safe place on high.
26 Many are seeking the face of a ruler, And the judgment of each [is] from YHWH.
The approval of a ruler is desired by great numbers: but the decision in a man's cause comes 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 evil man is disgusting to the upright, and he who is upright is disgusting to evil-doers.
