Proverbs 29
1 A man often reproved, hardening the neck, Is suddenly broken, and there is no healing.
A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.
2 In the multiplying of the righteous the people rejoice, And in the ruling of the wicked the people sigh.
When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 A man loving wisdom rejoiceth his father, And a friend of harlots destroyeth wealth.
A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 A king by judgment establisheth a land, And one receiving gifts throweth it down.
By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it.
5 A man taking a portion above his neighbour, Spreadeth a net for his own steps.
A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
6 In the transgression of the evil [is] a snare, And the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one sings and rejoices.
7 The righteous knoweth the plea of the poor, The wicked understandeth not knowledge.
The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns.
8 Men of scorning ensnare a city, And the wise turn back anger.
Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger.
9 A wise man is judged by the foolish man, And he hath been angry, And he hath laughed, and there is no rest.
If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution.
10 Men of blood hate the perfect, And the upright seek his soul.
Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.
11 A fool bringeth out all his mind, And the wise till afterwards restraineth it.
A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.
12 A ruler who is attending to lying words, All his ministers [are] wicked.
If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor and the man of frauds have met together, Jehovah is enlightening the eyes of them both.
The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
14 a king that is judging truly the poor, His throne for ever is established.
A king who judges the poor with fairness— his throne will be established forever.
15 A rod and reproof give wisdom, And a youth let away is shaming his mother.
A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
16 In the multiplying of the wicked transgression multiplieth, And the righteous on their fall do look.
When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Chastise thy son, and he giveth thee comfort, Yea, he giveth delights to thy soul.
Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul.
18 Without a Vision is a people made naked, And whoso is keeping the law, O his happiness!
Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law.
19 By words a servant is not instructed though he understand, And there is nothing answering.
A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond.
20 Thou hast seen a man hasty in his words! More hope of a fool than of him.
Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 Whoso is bringing up his servant delicately, from youth, [At] his latter end also he is continuator.
A servant pampered from his youth will bring grief in the end.
22 An angry man stirreth up contention, And a furious man is multiplying transgression.
An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
23 The pride of man humbleth him, And humility of spirit upholdeth honour.
A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
24 Whoso is sharing with a thief is hating his own soul, Execration he heareth, and telleth not.
A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath, but does not testify.
25 Fear of man causeth a snare, And the confident in Jehovah is set on high.
The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.
26 Many are seeking the face of a ruler, And from Jehovah [is] the judgment of each.
Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.
27 An abomination to the righteous [is] the perverse man, And an abomination to the wicked [is] the upright in the way!
An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.
