Proverbs 29
1 Some people remain stubborn [IDM] [even] though they are often reproved/warned [about doing what is wrong], [but some day] they will be crushed/ruined, and nothing will be able to heal them.
A man hating sharp words and making his heart hard, will suddenly be broken and will not be made well again.
2 When righteous [people] are rulers, people are happy, but when wicked [people] rule, people (groan/are miserable).
When the upright have power, the people are glad; when an evil man is ruler, grief comes on the people.
3 Those who are eager to become wise cause their parents to be glad; those who spend their time with prostitutes will end up giving all their money to them.
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 When a king rules justly/fairly, he causes his nation to be strong, but a king who is concerned [only] with getting more money from the people ruins his nation.
A king, by right rule, makes the land safe; but one full of desires makes it a waste.
5 Those who (flatter others/say nice things to others [merely] to cause them to feel good) are really setting a trap for them (OR, for themselves) [SYN].
A man who says smooth things to his neighbour is stretching out a net for his steps.
6 Evil people will be trapped by the sins that they commit, but righteous/honest people will sing and be joyful/happy.
In the steps of an evil man there is a net for him, but the upright man gets away quickly and is glad.
7 Righteous/Good people know that poor [people] should be treated fairly/justly, [but] wicked people (are not concerned about/do not pay attention to) those matters at all.
The upright man gives attention to the cause of the poor: the evil-doer gives no thought to it.
8 Those who make fun of [everything that is good say things that] cause [everyone in] the city to (be agitated/in turmoil); those who are wise enable [people] to remain calm.
Men of pride are the cause of violent acts in a town, but by wise men wrath is turned away.
9 If a wise person sues a foolish person, the foolish person merely laughs [at him] and yells [at him] and will not be quiet (OR, [the dispute will] not be resolved).
If a wise man goes to law with a foolish man, he may be angry or laughing, but there will be no rest.
10 Those who murder others hate people who (are honest/always do what is right), but righteous [people] try to protect them.
Men of blood are haters of the good man, and evil-doers go after his soul.
11 People who are wise are patient and restrain/control themselves when they are angry, but foolish people (quickly show others that they are very angry/do not restrain themselves at all).
A foolish man lets out all his wrath, but a wise man keeps it back quietly.
12 If a ruler (pays attention to/believes) [people who tell] lies, all his officials will [also] become wicked.
If a ruler gives attention to false words, all his servants are evil-doers.
13 There is one thing that is true about both poor people and those who oppress them: Yahweh enables all of them to see.
The poor man and his creditor come face to face: the Lord gives light to their eyes equally.
14 If kings judge poor [people] fairly, they will continue to rule for a long time.
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 If children are punished/spanked and reproved/warned, they become wise; but if they are allowed to do whatever they want to do, they [do things that] cause their mothers to be ashamed of them.
The rod and sharp words give wisdom: but a child who is not guided is a cause of shame to his mother.
16 When wicked [people] rule, there are more crimes committed {people commit more crimes}, but [some day] those wicked people will (be defeated/no longer rule), and righteous [people] will see that happen.
When evil men are in power, wrongdoing is increased; but the upright will have pleasure when they see their downfall.
17 If you discipline your children, they will no longer [do things that] will cause you to be worried; instead, they [will do things that] will delight you [SYN].
Give your son training, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your soul.
18 When the people [of a nation] do not receive messages that come directly from God, they do not control their behavior. [God] is pleased with those who obey his laws.
Where there is no vision, the people are uncontrolled; but he who keeps the law will be happy.
19 It is not possible to correct/discipline servants only by talking to them; they understand what you are saying, but they do not pay attention to it.
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 [God] can help/bless foolish people more easily [RHQ] than he can help/bless people who speak without thinking first.
Have you seen a man who is quick with his tongue? There is more hope for a foolish man than for him.
21 If someone gives his servants everything that they want, starting from when they are young, some day those servants will take from him everything that he owns.
If a servant is gently cared for from his early years, he will become a cause of sorrow in the end.
22 Those who [quickly] become angry cause [many] arguments, and they [also] commit many sins.
An angry man is the cause of fighting, and a man given to wrath does much wrong.
23 Proud people will be disgraced; those who are humble will be respected.
A man's pride will be the cause of his fall, but he who has a gentle spirit will get honour.
24 Those who help thieves [to steal] only hurt themselves; [when they are in court], they solemnly ask [God] to curse them [if they do not tell the truth], but they do not tell the truth [about the crime that was committed], [and as a result, God will curse them].
A man who takes part with a thief has hate for his soul; he is put under oath, but says nothing.
25 It is [like] a dangerous trap [MET] [for people] to be (afraid of/worried about) what others will think about them, but those who trust in Yahweh are safe/protected.
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 [people] request rulers to do things to help them, but Yahweh is [the only one] who surely does for people what is fair/just.
The approval of a ruler is desired by great numbers: but the decision in a man's cause comes from the Lord.
27 Righteous [people] hate/detest those who do what is evil, and wicked [people] hate [those whose behavior is always] good.
An evil man is disgusting to the upright, and he who is upright is disgusting to evil-doers.
