Proverbs 29
1 A man often reproved, hardening the neck, Is suddenly broken, and there is no healing.
He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.
2 In the multiplying of the righteous the people rejoice, And in the ruling of the wicked the people sigh.
When the righteous thrive, 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.
Whoever 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.
The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down.
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 snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing and be glad.
7 The righteous knows the plea of the poor, The wicked does not understand knowledge.
The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge.
8 Men of scorning ensnare a city, And the wise turn back anger.
Mockers stir up a city, but wise men 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 foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.
10 Men of blood hate the perfect, And the upright seek his soul.
The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright.
11 A fool brings out all his mind, And the wise restrains it until afterward.
A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.
12 A ruler who is attending to lying words, All his ministers [are] wicked.
If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are 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 sight to the eyes of both.
14 A king that is judging the poor with truth, His throne is established forever.
The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever.
15 A rod and reproof give wisdom, And a youth let away is shaming his mother.
The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.
16 In the multiplying of the wicked transgression multiplies, And the righteous look on their fall.
When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Discipline your son, and he gives you comfort, Indeed, he gives delights to your soul.
Correct your son, and he will give you peace; yes, 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 revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the Torah is blessed.
19 By words a servant is not instructed though he understand, And there is nothing answering.
A servant can’t be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet 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 is hasty in his words? 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.
He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end.
22 An angry man stirs up contention, And a furious man is multiplying transgression.
An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
23 The pride of man humbles him, And humility of spirit upholds honor.
A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor.
24 Whoever is sharing with a thief is hating his own soul, He hears execration, and does not tell.
Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify.
25 Fear of man causes a snare, And the confident in YHWH is set on high.
The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in the LORD is kept safe.
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’s justice 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!
A dishonest man detests the righteous, and the upright in their ways detest the wicked.
