Proverbs 29

1 A man often reproved, hardening the neck, Is suddenly broken, and there is no healing.

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 In the multiplying of the righteous the people rejoice, And in the ruling of the wicked the people sigh.

When just men are multiplied, the common people shall rejoice. When the impious take up the leadership, the people shall mourn.

3 A man loving wisdom makes his father glad, And a friend of harlots destroys wealth.

The man who loves wisdom rejoices his father. But whoever nurtures promiscuous women will lose his substance.

4 A king establishes a land by judgment, And one receiving gifts throws it down.

A just king guides the land. A man of avarice will destroy it.

5 A man taking a portion above his neighbor, Spreads a net for his own steps.

A man who speaks to his friend with flattering and feigned words spreads a net for his own feet.

6 A snare [is] in the transgression of the evil, And the righteous sing and rejoice.

A snare will entangle the iniquitous when he sins. And the just shall praise and be glad.

7 The righteous knows the plea of the poor, The wicked does not understand knowledge.

The just knows the case of the poor. The impious is ignorant of knowledge.

8 Men of scorning ensnare a city, And the wise turn back anger.

Pestilent men squander a city. Yet truly, the wise avert fury.

9 A wise man is judged by the foolish man, And he has been angry, And he has laughed, and there is no rest.

A wise man, if he were to contend with the foolish, whether in anger or in laughter, would find no rest.

10 Men of blood hate the perfect, And the upright seek his soul.

Bloodthirsty men hate the simple one; but the just seek out his soul.

11 A fool brings out all his mind, And the wise restrains it until afterward.

A foolish one offers everything on his mind. A wise one reserves and defers until later.

12 A ruler who is attending to lying words, All his ministers [are] wicked.

A leader who freely listens to lying words has only impious servants.

13 The poor and the man of frauds have met together, YHWH is enlightening the eyes of them both.

The pauper and the creditor have met one another. The Lord is the illuminator of them both.

14 A king that is judging the poor with truth, His throne is established forever.

The king who judges the poor in truth, his throne shall be secured in eternity.

15 A rod and reproof give wisdom, And a youth let away is shaming his mother.

The rod and its correction distribute wisdom. But the child who is left to his own will, brings shame to his mother.

16 In the multiplying of the wicked transgression multiplies, And the righteous look on their fall.

When the impious are multiplied, crimes will be multiplied. But the just shall see their ruin.

17 Discipline your son, and he gives you comfort, Indeed, he gives delights to your soul.

Teach your son, and he will refresh you, and he will give delight to your soul.

18 A people is made naked without a vision, And whoever is keeping the Law, O his blessedness!

When prophecy fails, the people will be scattered. Yet truly, whoever guards the law is blessed.

19 By words a servant is not instructed though he understand, And there is nothing answering.

A servant cannot be taught by words, because he understands what you say, but he disdains to respond.

20 You have seen a man hasty in his words! More hope of a fool than of him.

Have you seen a man rushing to speak? Foolishness has more hope than his correction.

21 Whoever is bringing up his servant delicately, from youth, [At] his latter end he is also continuator.

Whoever nurtures his servant delicately from childhood, afterwards will find him defiant.

22 An angry man stirs up contention, And a furious man is multiplying transgression.

A short-tempered man provokes quarrels. And whoever is easily angered is more likely to sin.

23 The pride of man humbles him, And humility of spirit upholds honor.

Humiliation follows the arrogant. And glory shall uphold the humble in spirit.

24 Whoever is sharing with a thief is hating his own soul, He hears execration, and does not tell.

Whoever participates with a thief hates his own soul; for he listens to his oath and does not denounce him.

25 Fear of man causes a snare, And the confident in YHWH is set on high.

Whoever fears man will quickly fall. Whoever hopes in the Lord shall be lifted up.

26 Many are seeking the face of a ruler, And the judgment of each [is] from YHWH.

Many demand the face of the leader. But the judgment of each one proceeds from the Lord.

27 The perverse man [is] an abomination to the righteous, And the upright in the way [is] an abomination to the wicked!

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.