Proverbs 29

1 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.

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

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

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

3 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.

Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; but he that is a companion of harlots destroyeth [his] substance.

4 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.

A king by just judgment establisheth the land; but he that taketh gifts overthroweth it.

5 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].

A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his steps.

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

In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare; but the righteous shall sing and rejoice.

7 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.

The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor; the wicked understandeth not knowledge.

8 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.

Scornful men set the city in a flame; but the wise turn away anger.

9 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).

If a wise man contendeth with a fool, whether he rage or laugh, [he] hath no rest.

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

The bloodthirsty hate the perfect, but the upright care for his soul.

11 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).

A fool uttereth all his mind; but a wise [man] keepeth it back.

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

If a ruler hearken to lying words, all his servants are wicked.

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

The indigent and the oppressor meet together; Jehovah lighteneth the eyes of them both.

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

A king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

15 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.

The rod and reproof give wisdom; but a child left [to himself] bringeth his mother to shame.

16 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.

When the wicked increase, transgression increaseth; but the righteous shall see their fall.

17 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].

Chasten thy son, and he shall give thee rest, and shall give delight unto thy soul.

18 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.

Where there is no vision the people cast off restraint; but happy is he that keepeth the law.

19 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.

A servant is not corrected by words: he understandeth indeed, but he will not answer.

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

Hast thou seen a man hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

21 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.

He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child, shall in the end have him as a son.

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

An angry man exciteth contention; and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

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

A man's pride bringeth him low; but the humble in spirit shall obtain honour.

24 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].

Whoso shareth with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth the adjuration, and declareth not.

25 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.

The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his confidence in Jehovah is protected.

26 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.

Many seek the ruler's face; but a man's right judgment is from Jehovah.

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

An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous; and he that is of upright way is an abomination to the wicked [man].