Proverbs 29
1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth [his] neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Anyone who goes on stubbornly rejecting many warnings will be suddenly destroyed, without hope of healing.
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
When good people are in charge, everybody celebrates; but when the wicked rule, everybody groans.
3 He that loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth [his] substance.
A man who loves wisdom makes his father happy, but one who visits prostitutes throws away his money.
4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
A king who rules justly makes the country secure, but one who asks for bribes will destroy it.
5 A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his feet.
Those who flatter their friends lay a net to trip them up.
6 In the transgression of an evil man [there is] a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
Evil people are trapped by their own sins, but those who do right sing and celebrate.
7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: [but] the wicked regardeth not to know [it].
Good people care about treating the poor fairly, but the wicked don't think about it at all.
8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise [men] turn away wrath.
Cynical people can inflame a whole city, but the wise calm angry people down.
9 [If] a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rageth or laugheth, [there is] no rest.
When a wise man takes a stupid man to court, there's raging and ridicule, but nothing is settled.
10 The blood-thirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
Murderers hate people of integrity, but those who live right try to help them.
11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise [man] keepeth it in till afterwards.
Stupid people let all their anger out, while wise people quietly hold it in.
12 If a ruler hearkeneth to lies, all his servants [are] wicked.
A ruler who listens to lies will have nothing but wicked officials.
13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD enlighteneth both their eyes.
Poor people and their oppressors have this in common: the Lord gives life to all of them.
14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
If a king judges the poor fairly, he will have a long rule.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left [to himself] bringeth his mother to shame.
Discipline and correction provide wisdom, but a son left undisciplined is an embarrassment to his mother.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
When the wicked are in power, sin increases; but the good will see their downfall.
17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yes, he shall give delight to thy soul.
Discipline your children and they won't give you any worries; they will make you very happy.
18 Where [there is] no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy [is] he.
Without a revelation from God, the people go out of control, but those who keep the law are happy.
19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understandeth, he will not answer.
A servant can't be disciplined by words alone; though they understand, they don't follow what they're told.
20 Seest thou a man [that is] hasty in his words? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.
Have you seen a man who speaks without thinking? There's more hope for stupid people than for him!
21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him at length become [his] son.
A servant indulged from childhood will in the end become unmanageable.
22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
Angry people stir up trouble, those with short tempers commit many sins.
23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.
If you're proud, you'll be humiliated; but if you're humble, you'll be honored.
24 Whoever is partner with a thief, hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and discloseth [it] not.
A thief's partner hates his life; even under the threat of being cursed he can't tell the truth.
25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but he who putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
Being afraid of people traps you, but if you trust in the Lord you're safe.
26 Many seek the ruler's favor; but [every] man's judgment [cometh] from the LORD.
Many people look for favors from a ruler, but justice comes from the Lord.
27 An unjust man [is] an abomination to the just: and [he that is] upright in the way [is] abomination to the wicked.
Good people hate those who are unjust; the wicked hate those who do what's right.
