Proverbs 29

Evangelical Heritage Version

29 A person who remains stiff-necked^[a] after many rebukes
    will be broken suddenly, and there will be no cure.
² When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.
³ A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but one who visits prostitutes destroys his wealth.
⁴ A king brings stability to a land by justice,
but one who accepts bribes tears it down.
⁵ A man who flatters his neighbor
    is spreading a net for his steps.^[b]
6 An evil man sets a trap with his sin,
but a righteous person sings and rejoices.
⁷ A righteous person acknowledges the rights of the poor,
but a wicked person does not understand such knowledge.
⁸ Scoffers stir up a city,
but wise people turn away anger.
⁹ When a wise person seeks justice from a stubborn fool,
the fool rants and laughs, and there is no peace.
¹⁰ Bloodthirsty people hate anyone with integrity,
but upright people seek to save his life.^[c]
11 A fool vents all his emotions,
but a wise person calmly restrains them.
¹² If a ruler listens to lies,
all his officials become wicked.
¹³ A poor person and an oppressor have this in common:
The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
¹⁴ If a king judges poor people with truth,
his throne will be established permanently.
¹⁵ A rod used for discipline gives wisdom,
but an undisciplined child disgraces his mother.
¹⁶ When the wicked increase, sin increases,
but the righteous will see their downfall.
¹⁷ Discipline your son, and he will give you rest.
He will give delight to your soul.
¹⁸ Without prophetic vision, a people is unrestrained,
but a people which follows the law is blessed.
¹⁹ A servant cannot be disciplined with words.
Although he understands, he shows no response.
²⁰ Have you seen a person who is hasty with his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
²¹ If someone pampers his servant from the time he is young,
later on he will have grief.
²² A hothead stirs up a fight,
and a quick-tempered person commits many sins.
²³ A person’s arrogance will humble him,
but a humble spirit will attain honor.
²⁴ The partner of a thief hates his own life.
He hears the oath,^[d] but he does not reveal anything.
²⁵ Being afraid of a man sets a trap,
but a person who trusts in the Lord will be secure.
²⁶ Many people seek a ruler’s favor,
but a person gets justice from the Lord.
²⁷ An unjust person is disgusting to righteous people,
but one whose way is upright is disgusting to the wicked.