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.
The man who, with a stiff neck, treats the one who corrects him with contempt will be suddenly overwhelmed to his own destruction, and reason shall not follow him.
2 When righteous [people] are rulers, people are happy, but when wicked [people] rule, people (groan/are miserable).
When just men are multiplied, the common people shall rejoice. When the impious take up the leadership, the people shall mourn.
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.
The man who loves wisdom rejoices his father. But whoever nurtures promiscuous women will lose his substance.
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 just king guides the land. A man of avarice will destroy it.
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 speaks to his friend with flattering and feigned words spreads a net for his own feet.
6 Evil people will be trapped by the sins that they commit, but righteous/honest people will sing and be joyful/happy.
A snare will entangle the iniquitous when he sins. And the just shall praise and be 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 just knows the case of the poor. The impious is ignorant of knowledge.
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.
Pestilent men squander a city. Yet truly, the wise avert fury.
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).
A wise man, if he were to contend with the foolish, whether in anger or in laughter, would find no rest.
10 Those who murder others hate people who (are honest/always do what is right), but righteous [people] try to protect them.
Bloodthirsty men hate the simple one; but the just seek out 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 one offers everything on his mind. A wise one reserves and defers until later.
12 If a ruler (pays attention to/believes) [people who tell] lies, all his officials will [also] become wicked.
A leader who freely listens to lying words has only impious servants.
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 pauper and the creditor have met one another. The Lord is the illuminator of them both.
14 If kings judge poor [people] fairly, they will continue to rule for a long time.
The king who judges the poor in truth, his throne shall be secured in eternity.
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 its correction distribute wisdom. But the child who is left to his own will, brings 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 the impious are multiplied, crimes will be multiplied. But the just shall see their ruin.
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].
Teach your son, and he will refresh you, and 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.
When prophecy fails, the people will be scattered. Yet truly, whoever guards the law is blessed.
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 cannot be taught by words, because he understands what you say, but he disdains to respond.
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 rushing to speak? Foolishness has more hope than his correction.
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.
Whoever nurtures his servant delicately from childhood, afterwards will find him defiant.
22 Those who [quickly] become angry cause [many] arguments, and they [also] commit many sins.
A short-tempered man provokes quarrels. And whoever is easily angered is more likely to sin.
23 Proud people will be disgraced; those who are humble will be respected.
Humiliation follows the arrogant. And glory shall uphold the humble in spirit.
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].
Whoever participates with a thief hates his own soul; for he listens to his oath and does not denounce him.
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.
Whoever fears man will quickly fall. Whoever hopes in the Lord shall be lifted up.
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.
Many demand the face of the leader. But the judgment of each one proceeds from the Lord.
27 Righteous [people] hate/detest those who do what is evil, and wicked [people] hate [those whose behavior is always] good.
The just abhor an impious man. And the impious abhor those who are on the right way. By keeping the word, the son shall be free from perdition.
