< 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.
He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be broken, and that without remedy.
2 When righteous [people] are rulers, people are happy, but when wicked [people] rule, people (groan/are miserable).
When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people sigh.
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.
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; but he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth 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.
The king by justice establisheth the land; but he that exacteth gifts overthroweth 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 that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth 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 transgression of an evil man there is a snare; but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
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 righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor; the wicked understandeth not 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.
Scornful men set a city in a blaze; but wise men turn away wrath.
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 contendeth with a foolish man, whether he be angry or laugh, 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.
The men of blood hate him that is sincere; and as for the upright, they seek his life.
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 fool spendeth all his spirit; but a wise man stilleth it within him.
12 If a ruler (pays attention to/believes) [people who tell] lies, all his officials will [also] become wicked.
If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, all his servants are wicked.
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 the oppressor meet together; the LORD giveth light to the eyes of them both.
14 If kings judge poor [people] fairly, they will continue to rule for a long time.
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
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 reproof give wisdom; but a child left to himself causeth 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 wicked are increased, transgression increaseth; but the righteous shall gaze upon their fall.
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].
Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest; yea, he will give delight unto thy 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 cast off restraint; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
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 corrected by words; for though he understand, there will be no response.
20 [God] can help/bless foolish people more easily [RHQ] than he can help/bless people who speak without thinking first.
Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope for a fool 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.
He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become master at the last.
22 Those who [quickly] become angry cause [many] arguments, and they [also] commit many sins.
An angry man stirreth up strife, and a wrathful man aboundeth in transgression.
23 Proud people will be disgraced; those who are humble will be respected.
A man's pride shall bring him low; but he that is of a lowly spirit shall attain to 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].
Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth the adjuration and uttereth 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 bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be set up 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.
Many seek the ruler's favour; but a man's judgment cometh 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 unjust man is an abomination to the righteous; and he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.