Proverbs 29
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
29 He who, being often reproved, hardens his neck shall suddenly be destroyed—and that without remedy.
2 When the [uncompromisingly] righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh.
3 Whoever loves skillful and godly Wisdom rejoices his father, but he who associates with harlots wastes his substance.
4 The king by justice establishes the land, but he who exacts gifts and tribute overthrows it.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his own feet.
6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous man sings and rejoices.
7 The [consistently] righteous man knows and cares for the rights of the poor, but the wicked man has no interest in such knowledge.(A)
8 Scoffers set a city afire [inflaming the minds of the people], but wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man has an argument with a foolish man, the fool only rages or laughs, and there is no rest.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the blameless man, but the upright care for and seek [to save] his life.(B)
11 A [self-confident] fool utters all his anger, but a wise man holds it back and stills it.
12 If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will become wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together—the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 The king who faithfully judges the poor, his throne shall be established continuously.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left undisciplined brings his mother to shame.
16 When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall see the fall of the wicked.
17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your heart.
18 Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]—blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.(C)
19 A servant will not be corrected by words alone; for though he understands, he will not answer [the master who mistreats him].
20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a [self-confident] fool than for him.
21 He who pampers his servant from childhood will have him expecting the rights of a son afterward.
22 A man of wrath stirs up strife, and a man given to anger commits and causes much transgression.
23 A man’s pride will bring him low, but he who is of a humble spirit will obtain honor.(D)
24 Whoever is partner with a thief hates his own life; he falls under the curse [pronounced upon him who knows who the thief is] but discloses nothing.
25 The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever leans on, trusts in, and puts his confidence in the Lord is safe and set on high.
26 Many crave and seek the ruler’s favor, but the wise man [waits] for justice from the Lord.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, and he who is upright in the way [of the Lord] is an abomination to the wicked.
Proverbs 29
New Century Version
29 Whoever is stubborn after being corrected many times
will suddenly be hurt beyond cure.
2 When good people do well, everyone is happy,
but when evil people rule, everyone groans.
3 Those who love wisdom make their parents happy,
but friends of prostitutes waste their money.
4 If a king is fair, he makes his country strong,
but if he takes gifts dishonestly, he tears his country down.
5 Those who give false praise to their neighbors
are setting a trap for them.
6 Evil people are trapped by their own sin,
but good people can sing and be happy.
7 Good people care about justice for the poor,
but the wicked are not concerned.
8 People who make fun of wisdom cause trouble in a city,
but wise people calm anger down.
9 When a wise person takes a foolish person to court,
the fool only shouts or laughs, and there is no peace.
10 Murderers hate an honest person
and try to kill those who do right.
11 Foolish people lose their tempers,
but wise people control theirs.
12 If a ruler pays attention to lies,
all his officers will become wicked.
13 The poor person and the cruel person are alike
in that the Lord gave eyes to both of them.
14 If a king judges poor people fairly,
his government will continue forever.
15 Correction and punishment make children wise,
but those left alone will disgrace their mother.
16 When there are many wicked people, there is much sin,
but those who do right will see them destroyed.
17 Correct your children, and you will be proud;
they will give you satisfaction.
18 Where there is no word from God, people are uncontrolled,
but those who obey what they have been taught are happy.
19 Words alone cannot correct a servant,
because even if they understand, they won’t respond.
20 Do you see people who speak too quickly?
There is more hope for a foolish person than for them.
21 If you spoil your servants when they are young,
they will bring you grief later on.
22 An angry person causes trouble;
a person with a quick temper sins a lot.
23 Pride will ruin people,
but those who are humble will be honored.
24 Partners of thieves are their own worst enemies.
If they have to testify in court, they are afraid to say anything.
25 Being afraid of people can get you into trouble,
but if you trust the Lord, you will be safe.
26 Many people want to speak to a ruler,
but justice comes only from the Lord.
27 Good people hate those who are dishonest,
and the wicked hate those who are honest.
Proverbs 29
New King James Version
Happy Is He Who Keeps the Law
29 He(A) who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2 When the righteous [a]are in authority, the (B)people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, (C)the people groan.
3 Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,
But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.
4 The king establishes the land by justice,
But he who receives bribes overthrows it.
5 A man who (D)flatters his neighbor
Spreads a net for his feet.
6 By transgression an evil man is snared,
But the righteous sings and rejoices.
7 The righteous (E)considers the cause of the poor,
But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.
8 Scoffers (F)set a city aflame,
But wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man contends with a foolish man,
(G)Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.
12 If a ruler pays attention to lies,
All his servants become wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
(J)The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 The king who judges the (K)poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and rebuke give (L)wisdom,
But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases;
But the righteous will see their (M)fall.
17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest;
Yes, he will give delight to your soul.
18 (N)Where there is no [d]revelation, the people cast off restraint;
But (O)happy is he who keeps the law.
19 A servant will not be corrected by mere words;
For though he understands, he will not respond.
20 Do you see a man hasty in his words?
(P)There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 He who pampers his servant from childhood
Will have him as a son in the end.
22 (Q)An angry man stirs up strife,
And a furious man abounds in transgression.
23 (R)A man’s pride will bring him low,
But the humble in spirit will retain honor.
24 Whoever is a partner with a thief hates his own life;
(S)He [e]swears to tell the truth, but reveals nothing.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:2 become great
- Proverbs 29:10 Lit. soul or life
- Proverbs 29:11 Lit. spirit
- Proverbs 29:18 prophetic vision
- Proverbs 29:24 Lit. hears the adjuration or oath
- Proverbs 29:25 secure, lit. set on high
- Proverbs 29:26 Lit. face
Proverbs 29
King James Version
29 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the Lord lighteneth both their eyes.
14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.
26 Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the Lord.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.