Warnings and Instructions

29 A man who hardens his neck after (A)much reproof
Will (B)suddenly be broken [a]beyond remedy.
When the (C)righteous [b]increase, the people rejoice,
But when a wicked man rules, people groan.
A man who (D)loves wisdom makes his father glad,
But he who (E)keeps company with harlots wastes his wealth.
The (F)king gives stability to the land by justice,
But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.
A man who (G)flatters his neighbor
Is spreading a net for his steps.
By transgression an evil man is (H)ensnared,
But the righteous (I)sings and rejoices.
The (J)righteous [c]is concerned for the rights of the poor,
The wicked does not understand such [d]concern.
Scorners (K)set a city aflame,
But (L)wise men turn away anger.
When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man,
[e]The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.
10 Men of (M)bloodshed hate the blameless,
But the upright [f]are concerned for his life.
11 A (N)fool [g]always loses his temper,
But a (O)wise man holds it back.
12 If a (P)ruler pays attention to falsehood,
All his ministers become wicked.
13 The (Q)poor man and the oppressor [h]have this in common:
The Lord gives (R)light to the eyes of both.
14 If a (S)king judges the poor with truth,
His (T)throne will be established forever.
15 The (U)rod and reproof give wisdom,
But a child [i]who gets his own way (V)brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked [j]increase, transgression increases;
But the (W)righteous will see their fall.
17 (X)Correct your son, and he will give you comfort;
He will also [k](Y)delight your soul.
18 Where there is (Z)no [l]vision, the people (AA)are unrestrained,
But (AB)happy is he who keeps the law.
19 A slave will not be instructed by words alone;
For though he understands, there will be no response.
20 Do you see a man who is (AC)hasty in his words?
There is (AD)more hope for a fool than for him.
21 He who pampers his slave from childhood
Will in the end find him to be a son.
22 An (AE)angry man stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
23 A man’s (AF)pride will bring him low,
But a (AG)humble spirit will obtain honor.
24 He who is a partner with a thief hates his own life;
He (AH)hears the oath but tells nothing.
25 The (AI)fear of man [m]brings a snare,
But he who (AJ)trusts in the Lord will be exalted.
26 (AK)Many seek the ruler’s [n]favor,
But (AL)justice for man comes from the Lord.
27 An (AM)unjust man is abominable to the righteous,
And he who is (AN)upright in the way is abominable to the wicked.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:1 Lit and there is no remedy
  2. Proverbs 29:2 Or become great
  3. Proverbs 29:7 Lit knows the cause
  4. Proverbs 29:7 Lit knowledge
  5. Proverbs 29:9 Lit He
  6. Proverbs 29:10 Lit seek his soul
  7. Proverbs 29:11 Lit sends forth all his spirit
  8. Proverbs 29:13 Lit meet together
  9. Proverbs 29:15 Lit left to himself
  10. Proverbs 29:16 Or become great
  11. Proverbs 29:17 Lit give delight to
  12. Proverbs 29:18 Or revelation
  13. Proverbs 29:25 Lit gives
  14. Proverbs 29:26 Lit face