Proverbs 29

If People Can't See What God Is Doing

1 For people who hate discipline and only get more stubborn, There'll come a day when life tumbles in and they break, but by then it'll be too late to help them.
2 When good people run things, everyone is glad, but when the ruler is bad, everyone groans.
3 If you love wisdom, you'll delight your parents, but you'll destroy their trust if you run with whores.
4 A leader of good judgment gives stability; an exploiting leader leaves a trail of waste.
5 A flattering neighbor is up to no good; he's probably planning to take advantage of you.
6 Evil people fall into their own traps; good people run the other way, glad to escape.
7 The good-hearted understand what it's like to be poor; the hardhearted haven't the faintest idea.
8 A gang of cynics can upset a whole city; a group of sages can calm everyone down.
9 A sage trying to work things out with a fool gets only scorn and sarcasm for his trouble.
10 Murderers hate honest people; moral folks encourage them.
11 A fool lets it all hang out; a sage quietly mulls it over.
12 When a leader listens to malicious gossip, all the workers get infected with evil.
13 The poor and their abusers have at least something in common: they can both see—their sight, God's gift!
14 Leadership gains authority and respect when the voiceless poor are treated fairly.
15 Wise discipline imparts wisdom; spoiled adolescents embarrass their parents.
16 When degenerates take charge, crime runs wild, but the righteous will eventually observe their collapse.
17 Discipline your children; you'll be glad you did— they'll turn out delightful to live with.
18 If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.
19 It takes more than talk to keep workers in line; mere words go in one ear and out the other.
20 Observe the people who always talk before they think— even simpletons are better off than they are.
21 If you let people treat you like a doormat, you'll be quite forgotten in the end.
22 Angry people stir up a lot of discord; the intemperate stir up trouble.
23 Pride lands you flat on your face; humility prepares you for honors.
24 Befriend an outlaw and become an enemy to yourself. When the victims cry out, you'll be included in their curses if you're a coward to their cause in court.
25 The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.
26 Everyone tries to get help from the leader, but only God will give us justice.
27 Good people can't stand the sight of deliberate evil; the wicked can't stand the sight of well-chosen goodness.

Proverbs 29

1 He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

2 When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh.

3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance.

4 The king by justice establisheth the land; But he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it.

5 A man that flattereth his neighbor Spreadeth a net for his steps.

6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare; But the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

7 The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor; The wicked hath not understanding to know it.

8 Scoffers set a city in a flame; But wise men turn away wrath.

9 If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man, Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest.

10 The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect; And as for the upright, they seek his life.

11 A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it.

12 If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, All his servants are wicked.

13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together; Jehovah lighteneth the eyes of them both.

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 causeth shame to his mother.

16 When the wicked are increased, transgression increaseth; But the righteous shall look upon their fall.

17 Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest; Yea, he will give delight unto thy soul.

18 Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; 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 give heed.

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 a son at the last.

22 An angry man stirreth up strife, And a wrathful man aboundeth in transgression.

23 A man’s pride shall bring him low; But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor.

24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul; He heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing.

25 The fear of man bringeth a snare; But whoso putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be safe.

26 Many seek the ruler’s favor; But a man’s judgment cometh from Jehovah.

27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous; And he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.