Proverbs 29

¹A man hating sharp words and making his heart hard, will suddenly be broken and will not be made well again.

²When the upright have power, the people are glad; when an evil man is ruler, grief comes on the people.

³A man who is a lover of wisdom is a joy to his father: but he who goes in the company of loose women is a waster of wealth.

⁴A king, by right rule, makes the land safe; but one full of desires makes it a waste.

⁵A man who says smooth things to his neighbour is stretching out a net for his steps.

⁶In the steps of an evil man there is a net for him, but the upright man gets away quickly and is glad.

⁷The upright man gives attention to the cause of the poor: the evil-doer gives no thought to it.

⁸Men of pride are the cause of violent acts in a town, but by wise men wrath is turned away.

⁹If a wise man goes to law with a foolish man, he may be angry or laughing, but there will be no rest.

¹⁰Men of blood are haters of the good man, and evil-doers go after his soul.

¹¹A foolish man lets out all his wrath, but a wise man keeps it back quietly.

¹²If a ruler gives attention to false words, all his servants are evil-doers.

¹³The poor man and his creditor come face to face: the Lord gives light to their eyes equally.

¹⁴The king who is a true judge in the cause of the poor, will be safe for ever on the seat of his power.

¹⁵The rod and sharp words give wisdom: but a child who is not guided is a cause of shame to his mother.

¹⁶When evil men are in power, wrongdoing is increased; but the upright will have pleasure when they see their downfall.

¹⁷Give your son training, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your soul.

¹⁸Where there is no vision, the people are uncontrolled; but he who keeps the law will be happy.

¹⁹A servant will not be trained by words; for though the sense of the words is clear to him, he will not give attention.

²⁰Have you seen a man who is quick with his tongue? There is more hope for a foolish man than for him.

²¹If a servant is gently cared for from his early years, he will become a cause of sorrow in the end.

²²An angry man is the cause of fighting, and a man given to wrath does much wrong.

²³A man's pride will be the cause of his fall, but he who has a gentle spirit will get honour.

²⁴A man who takes part with a thief has hate for his soul; he is put under oath, but says nothing.

²⁵The fear of man is a cause of danger: but whoever puts his faith in the Lord will have a safe place on high.

²⁶The approval of a ruler is desired by great numbers: but the decision in a man's cause comes from the Lord.

²⁷An evil man is disgusting to the upright, and he who is upright is disgusting to evil-doers.

Proverbs 29

¹He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.

²When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

³Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

⁴The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down.

⁵A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

⁶An evil man is snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing and be glad.

⁷The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren't concerned about knowledge.

⁸Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.

⁹If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.

¹⁰The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright.

¹¹A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.

¹²If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked.

¹³The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.

¹⁴The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever.

¹⁵The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.

¹⁶When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.

¹⁷Correct your son, and he will give you peace; yes, he will bring delight to your soul.

¹⁸Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the Law is blessed.

¹⁹A servant can't be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet he will not respond.

²⁰Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

²¹He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end.

²²An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.

²³A man's pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor.

²⁴Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify.

²⁵The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in the Lord is kept safe.

²⁶Many seek the ruler's favor, but a man's justice comes from the Lord.

²⁷A dishonest man detests the righteous, and the upright in their ways detest the wicked.