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29 Whoever still won’t obey after being warned many times
    will suddenly be destroyed. Nothing can save them.

When those who do right grow stronger, the people are glad.
    But when those who do wrong become rulers, the people groan.

A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad.
    But a man who spends time with prostitutes wastes his father’s wealth.

By doing what is fair, a king makes a country secure.
    But those who only want money tear it down.

Those who only pretend to praise their neighbors
    are spreading a net to catch them by the feet.

Sinful people are trapped by their own sin.
    But godly people shout for joy and are glad.

Those who do what is right want to treat poor people fairly.
    But those who do what is wrong don’t care about the poor.

Those who make fun of others stir up a city.
    But wise people turn anger away.

Suppose a wise person goes to court with a foolish person.
    Then the foolish person gets mad and pokes fun, and there is no peace.

10 Murderers hate honest people.
    They try to kill those who do what is right.

11 Foolish people let their anger run wild.
    But wise people keep themselves under control.

12 If rulers listen to lies,
    all their officials become evil.

13 The Lord gives sight to the eyes of poor people and those who treat others badly.
    That’s what they both have in common.

14 If a king judges poor people fairly,
    his throne will always be secure.

15 If a child is corrected, they become wise.
    But a child who is not corrected brings shame to their mother.

16 When those who do wrong grow stronger, so does sin.
    But those who do right will see them destroyed.

17 If you correct your children, they will give you peace.
    They will bring you the delights you desire.

18 Where there is no message from God, people don’t control themselves.
    But blessed is the one who obeys wisdom’s instruction.

19 Servants can’t be corrected only by words.
    Even if they understand, they won’t obey.

20 Have you seen someone who speaks without thinking?
    There is more hope for foolish people than for that person.

21 A servant who has been spoiled from youth
    will have no respect for you later on.

22 An angry person stirs up fights.
    And a person with a bad temper commits many sins.

23 Pride brings a person low.
    But those whose spirits are low will be honored.

24 To help a thief is to become your own enemy.
    When you go to court, you won’t dare to say anything.

25 If you are afraid of people, it will trap you.
    But if you trust in the Lord, he will keep you safe.

26 Many people want to meet a ruler.
    But only the Lord sees that people are treated fairly.

27 Those who do what is right hate dishonest people.
    Those who do what is wrong hate honest people.

29 Whoever remains stiff-necked(A) after many rebukes
    will suddenly be destroyed(B)—without remedy.(C)

When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;(D)
    when the wicked rule,(E) the people groan.(F)

A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,(G)
    but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.(H)

By justice a king gives a country stability,(I)
    but those who are greedy for[a] bribes tear it down.

Those who flatter their neighbors
    are spreading nets for their feet.(J)

Evildoers are snared by their own sin,(K)
    but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

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

Mockers stir up a city,
    but the wise turn away anger.(M)

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

10 The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity
    and seek to kill the upright.(N)

11 Fools give full vent to their rage,(O)
    but the wise bring calm in the end.(P)

12 If a ruler(Q) listens to lies,
    all his officials become wicked.(R)

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

14 If a king judges the poor with fairness,
    his throne will be established forever.(T)

15 A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,
    but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.(U)

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

17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;
    they will bring you the delights you desire.(W)

18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
    but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.(X)

19 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words;
    though they understand, they will not respond.

20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
    There is more hope for a fool than for them.(Y)

21 A servant pampered from youth
    will turn out to be insolent.

22 An angry person stirs up conflict,
    and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.(Z)

23 Pride brings a person low,(AA)
    but the lowly in spirit gain honor.(AB)

24 The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies;
    they are put under oath and dare not testify.(AC)

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

26 Many seek an audience with a ruler,(AG)
    but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.(AH)

27 The righteous detest the dishonest;
    the wicked detest the upright.(AI)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:4 Or who give

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

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.

Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.

If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.

11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the Lord lighteneth both their eyes.

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 bringeth his mother to shame.

16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: 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 answer.

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 his son at the length.

22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.

26 Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the Lord.

27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.