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.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:1 Or stubborn
- Proverbs 29:5 Or his own steps
- Proverbs 29:10 Or and they seek the life of the upright
- Proverbs 29:24 Or curse. He cannot testify for fear of reprisal or self-incrimination.