Proverbs 29

1 He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.

A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.

2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

3 Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

4 The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down.

By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it.

5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

6 An evil man is snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing and be glad.

An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one sings and rejoices.

7 The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge.

The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns.

8 Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.

Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger.

9 If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.

If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution.

10 The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright.

Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.

11 A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.

A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.

12 If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked.

If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.

13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: Yahweh gives sight to the eyes of both.

The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.

14 The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever.

A king who judges the poor with fairness— his throne will be established forever.

15 The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.

A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.

16 When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.

When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.

17 Correct your son, and he will give you peace; yes, he will bring delight to your soul.

Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul.

18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the law is blessed.

Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law.

19 A servant can’t be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet he will not respond.

A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond.

20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

21 He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end.

A servant pampered from his youth will bring grief in the end.

22 An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.

An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

23 A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor.

A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.

24 Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify.

A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath, but does not testify.

25 The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe.

The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.

26 Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man’s justice comes from Yahweh.

Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.

27 A dishonest man detests the righteous, and the upright in their ways detest the wicked.

An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.