Proverbs 29

1 Anyone who goes on stubbornly rejecting many warnings will be suddenly destroyed, without hope of healing.

2 When good people are in charge, everybody celebrates; but when the wicked rule, everybody groans.

3 A man who loves wisdom makes his father happy, but one who visits prostitutes throws away his money.

4 A king who rules justly makes the country secure, but one who asks for bribes will destroy it.

5 Those who flatter their friends lay a net to trip them up. 1

Notes

+ “Trip them up”: literally, “for their feet.”

6 Evil people are trapped by their own sins, but those who do right sing and celebrate.

7 Good people care about treating the poor fairly, but the wicked don't think about it at all.

8 Cynical people can inflame a whole city, but the wise calm angry people down.

9 When a wise man takes a stupid man to court, there's raging and ridicule, but nothing is settled.

10 Murderers hate people of integrity, but those who live right try to help them. 1

Notes

+ The meaning of the second phrase is debatable.

11 Stupid people let all their anger out, while wise people quietly hold it in.

12 A ruler who listens to lies will have nothing but wicked officials.

13 Poor people and their oppressors have this in common: the Lord gives life to all of them.

14 If a king judges the poor fairly, he will have a long rule.

15 Discipline and correction provide wisdom, but a son left undisciplined is an embarrassment to his mother.

16 When the wicked are in power, sin increases; but the good will see their downfall.

17 Discipline your children and they won't give you any worries; they will make you very happy.

18 Without a revelation from God, the people go out of control, but those who keep the law are happy.

19 A servant can't be disciplined by words alone; though they understand, they don't follow what they're told.

20 Have you seen a man who speaks without thinking? There's more hope for stupid people than for him!

21 A servant indulged from childhood will in the end become unmanageable. 1

Notes

+ “Unmanageable”: only one of a number of interpretations.

22 Angry people stir up trouble, those with short tempers commit many sins.

23 If you're proud, you'll be humiliated; but if you're humble, you'll be honored.

24 A thief's partner hates his life; even under the threat of being cursed he can't tell the truth. 1

Notes

+ See Leviticus 5.

25 Being afraid of people traps you, but if you trust in the Lord you're safe.

26 Many people look for favors from a ruler, but justice comes from the Lord.

27 Good people hate those who are unjust; the wicked hate those who do what's right.