Proverbs 29

Chapter 29

1 Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism
will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.2 When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice.
But when the wicked are in power, they groan.3 The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted.4 A just king gives stability to his nation,
but one who demands bribes destroys it.5 To flatter friends
is to lay a trap for their feet.6 Evil people are trapped by sin,
but the righteous escape, shouting for joy.7 The godly care about the rights of the poor;
the wicked don’t care at all.8 Mockers can get a whole town agitated,
but the wise will calm anger.9 If a wise person takes a fool to court,
there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction.10 The bloodthirsty hate blameless people,
but the upright seek to help them.t11 Fools vent their anger,
but the wise quietly hold it back.12 If a ruler pays attention to liars,
all his advisers will be wicked.13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common—
the LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.14 If a king judges the poor fairly,
his throne will last forever.15 To discipline a child produces wisdom,
but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.16 When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes,
but the godly will live to see their downfall.17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind
and will make your heart glad.18 When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.
But whoever obeys the law is joyful.19 Words alone will not discipline a servant;
the words may be understood, but they are not heeded.20 There is more hope for a fool
than for someone who speaks without thinking.21 A servant pampered from childhood
will become a rebel.22 An angry person starts fights;
a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.23 Pride ends in humiliation,
while humility brings honor.24 If you assist a thief, you only hurt yourself.
You are sworn to tell the truth, but you dare not testify.25 Fearing people is a dangerous trap,
but trusting the LORD means safety.26 Many seek the ruler’s favor,
but justice comes from the LORD.27 The righteous despise the unjust;
the wicked despise the godly.

Proverbs 29

1 A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes
will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.

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

3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

4 By justice a king gives a country stability,
but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down.

5 Whoever flatters his neighbor
is spreading a net for his feet.

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

7 The righteous care about justice for the poor,
but the wicked have no such concern.

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

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

10 Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity
and seek to kill the upright.

11 A fool gives full vent to his anger,
but a wise man keeps himself under control.

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

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

14 If a king judges the poor with fairness,
his throne will always be secure.

15 The rod of correction imparts wisdom,
but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.

16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin,
but the righteous will see their downfall.

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

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

19 A servant cannot be corrected by mere words;
though he understands, he will not respond.

20 Do you see a man who speaks in haste?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

21 If a man pampers his servant from youth,
he will bring grief in the end.

22 An angry man stirs up dissension,
and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.

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

24 The accomplice of a thief is his own enemy;
he is put under oath and dare not testify.

25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

26 Many seek an audience with a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that man gets justice.

27 The righteous detest the dishonest;
the wicked detest the upright.