Proverbs 29:1-27
29 A man who stiffens his neck* after much reproof+Will suddenly be broken beyond healing.+
2 When the righteous are many, the people rejoice,But when the wicked one rules, the people groan.+
3 A man who loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,+But the one who keeps company with prostitutes squanders his wealth.+
4 By justice a king brings stability to a land,+But a man seeking bribes brings it to ruin.
5 A man who flatters his neighborSpreads out a net for his feet.+
6 A bad man’s transgression ensnares him,+But the righteous one cries out joyfully and rejoices.+
7 The righteous one is concerned about the legal rights of the poor,+But the wicked one has no such concern.+
8 Boastful men inflame a town,+But those who are wise turn away anger.+
9 When a wise man enters into a controversy with a fool,There will be ranting and ridicule, but no satisfaction.+
10 Bloodthirsty men hate anyone innocent,*+And they seek to take the life* of the upright.*
11 A stupid person gives vent to all his feelings,*+But the wise one calmly keeps them in check.+
12 When a ruler pays attention to lies,All his servants will be wicked.+
13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:*
Jehovah gives light to the eyes of both.*
14 When a king judges the poor fairly,+His throne will always be secure.+
15 The rod* and reproof impart wisdom,+But a child left unrestrained brings shame on his mother.
16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases,But the righteous will see their downfall.+
17 Discipline your son and he will bring you rest;And he will give you* great pleasure.+
18 Where there is no vision,* the people go unrestrained,+But happy are those who observe the law.+
19 A servant will not let himself be corrected by words,For though he understands, he does not obey.+
20 Have you seen a man hasty with his words?+
There is more hope for a fool than for him.+
21 If a servant is pampered from his youth,He will become thankless later on.
22 A man prone to anger stirs up strife;+Anyone disposed to rage commits many transgressions.+
23 The haughtiness of a man will humble him,+But whoever is humble in spirit will obtain glory.+
24 The partner of a thief hates himself.*
He may hear the call to testify,* but he reports nothing.+
25 Trembling at* men is* a snare,+But the one trusting in Jehovah will be protected.+
26 Many seek an audience with* a ruler,But it is from Jehovah that a man gets justice.+
27 An unjust man is detestable to the righteous,+But the one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked one.+
Footnotes
^ Or “who remains stubborn.”
^ Or “blameless.”
^ Or “soul.”
^ Or possibly, “But the upright seeks to protect his life.”
^ Lit., “spirit.”
^ Lit., “meet together.”
^ That is, He gives them life.
^ Or “discipline; punishment.”
^ Or “your soul.”
^ Or “prophetic vision; revelation.”
^ Or “his own soul.”
^ Or “an oath involving a curse.”
^ Or “Fear of.”
^ Or “lays.”
^ Or possibly, “seek the favor of.” Lit., “seek the face of.”
