Proverbs 29

1 He, that 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 in authority, 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 that loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth 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 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that exacteth 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 that flattereth his neighbour 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 an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth 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 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.

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 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away 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 contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rageth or laugheth, there is 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 hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.

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

11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

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 hearkeneth to lies, all his servants are wicked.

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

13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD giveth light to both their eyes.

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 faithfully judgeth the poor, 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 his mother to shame.

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 multiplied, 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 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall 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 perish: 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 understandeth he will not answer.

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 that is 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 delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him at length become his son.

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 furious man aboundeth in transgression.

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

23 A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

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

24 Whoever is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and revealeth it not.

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 he who 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 seek the ruler’s favour; 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 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

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