Proverbs 29

1 He who, being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

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.

2 When the righteous are powerful, the people rejoice; But when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

When righteous [people] are rulers, people are happy, but when wicked [people] rule, people (groan/are miserable).

3 He who loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; But he who is a companion of harlots destroyeth his substance.

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.

4 A king by equity establisheth a land; But he who receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

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.

5 A man who flattereth his neighbor Spreadeth a net for his feet.

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].

6 In the transgression of a wicked man there is a snare; But the righteous shall sing and rejoice.

Evil people will be trapped by the sins that they commit, but righteous/honest people will sing and be joyful/happy.

7 A righteous man careth for the cause of the poor; A wicked man discerneth not knowledge.

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.

8 Scoffers kindle a city into a flame; But wise men pacify wrath.

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.

9 If a wise man contend in a cause with a fool, Whether he rage or laugh, there will be no rest.

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).

10 The bloodthirsty man hateth the upright; But the righteous seek to preserve his life.

Those who murder others hate people who (are honest/always do what is right), but righteous [people] try to protect them.

11 A fool letteth all his anger come out; But a wise man keepeth it back.

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).

12 If a ruler listen to words of falsehood, All his servants become wicked.

If a ruler (pays attention to/believes) [people who tell] lies, all his officials will [also] become wicked.

13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together: The LORD giveth light to the eyes of them both.

There is one thing that is true about both poor people and those who oppress them: Yahweh enables all of them to see.

14 The king that judgeth the poor with uprightness, His throne shall be established for ever.

If kings judge poor [people] fairly, they will continue to rule for a long time.

15 The rod and reproof give wisdom; But a child left to himself bringeth shame to his mother.

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.

16 When the wicked are powerful, transgression increaseth; But the righteous shall see their fall.

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.

17 Chastise thy son, and he will give thee rest; Yea, he will give delight to thy soul.

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].

18 Where there is no vision, the people become unruly; But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

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.

19 A servant will not be corrected by words; For, though he understand, he will not obey.

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.

20 Seest thou a man hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

[God] can help/bless foolish people more easily [RHQ] than he can help/bless people who speak without thinking first.

21 He that bringeth up his servant delicately from childhood Shall have him become a son at the last.

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.

22 An angry man stirreth up strife, And a passionate man aboundeth in transgression.

Those who [quickly] become angry cause [many] arguments, and they [also] commit many sins.

23 A man's pride will bring him low; But he that is of a humble spirit shall obtain honor.

Proud people will be disgraced; those who are humble will be respected.

24 He who shareth with a thief hateth himself: He heareth the curse, but maketh no discovery.

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].

25 The fear of man bringeth a snare; But whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

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.

26 Many are they who seek the ruler's favor; But every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.

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.

27 As the unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, So the upright in his way is an abomination to the wicked.

Righteous [people] hate/detest those who do what is evil, and wicked [people] hate [those whose behavior is always] good.