Proverbs 29 (Brenton)

1A reprover is better than a stiff-necked man: for when the latter is suddenly set on fire, there shall be no remedy.A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.

2When the righteous are praised, the people will rejoice: but when the ungodly rule, men mourn.When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

3When a man loves wisdom, his father rejoices: but he that keeps harlots will waste wealth.A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

4A righteous king establishes a country: but a transgressor destroys it.By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it.

5He that prepares a net in the way of his own friend, entangles his own feet in it.A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

6A great snare is spread for a sinner: but the righteous shall be in joy and gladness.An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one sings and rejoices.

7A righteous man knows how to judge for the poor: but the ungodly understands not knowledge; and the poor man has not an understanding mind.The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns.

8Lawless men burn down a city: but wise men turn away wrath.Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger.

9A wise man shall judge nations: but a worthless man being angry laughs and fears not.If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution.

10Bloody men hate a holy person, but the upright will seek his soul.Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.

11A fool utters all his mind: but the wise reserves his in part.A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.

12When a king hearkens to unjust language, all his subjects are transgressors.If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.

13When the creditor and debtor meet together, the Lord oversees them both.The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.

14When a king judges the poor in truth, his throne shall be established for a testimony.A king who judges the poor with fairness—his throne will be established forever.

15Stripes and reproofs give wisdom: but an erring child disgraces his parents.A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.

16When the ungodly abound, sins abound: but when they fall, the righteous are warned.When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.

17Chasten thy son, and he shall give thee rest; and he shall give honour to thy soul.Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul.

18There shall be no interpreter to a sinful nation: but he that observes the law is blessed.Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law.

19A stubborn servant will not be reproved by words: for even if he understand, still he will not obey.A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond.

20If thou see a man hasty in his words, know that the fool has hope rather than he.Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

21He that lives wantonly from a child, shall be a servant, and in the end shall grieve over himself.A servant pampered from his youth will bring grief in the end.

22A furious man stirs up strife, and a passionate man digs up sin.An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

23Pride brings a man low, but the Lord upholds the humble-minded with honour.A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.

24He that shares with a thief, hates his own soul: and if any having heard an oath uttered tell not of it,A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath but does not testify.

25they fearing and reverencing men unreasonably have been overthrown, but he that trusts in the Lord shall rejoice. Ungodliness causes a man to stumble: but he that trusts in his master shall be safe.The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.

26Many wait on the favour of rulers; but justice comes to a man from the Lord.Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.

27A righteous man is an abomination to an unrighteous man, and the direct way is an abomination to the sinner.An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.

Proverbs 29

The Flourishing of the Righteous