The chapter opens with a severe warning: whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed without remedy. When the righteous thrive, people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, people groan. A wisdom-loving son brings joy to his father, while a companion of prostitutes squanders wealth. By justice a king gives a country stability, but those greedy for bribes tear it down. Flattery spreads a net for the feet. Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy and are glad. The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.
Proverbs 29:1
1 He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.
Proverbs 29:2
2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
Proverbs 29:3
3 Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down.
Proverbs 29:5
5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
6 An evil man is snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing and be glad.
Proverbs 29:7
7 The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge.
Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger. When the wise go to court with fools, the fools rage and scoff, and there is no peace. The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity and seek to kill the upright. Fools give full vent to rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked. The poor and the oppressor have this in common: the LORD gives sight to the eyes of both. If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever.
8 Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.
9 If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.
10 The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright.
11 A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.
12 If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked.
Proverbs 29:13
13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: Yahweh gives sight to the eyes of both.
Proverbs 29:14
14 The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever.
The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces his mother. When the wicked thrive, sin increases, but the righteous will see their downfall. Discipline children, and they will give peace and delight. Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint, but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction. Servants cannot be corrected by words alone if they understand but do not respond. There is more hope for fools than for one who speaks in haste. A servant pampered from youth may become insolent. Angry people stir conflict, and hot-tempered people commit many sins. Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor. The accomplice of a thief hates his own life, hearing the curse yet not testifying. Fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. Many seek an audience with a ruler, but justice comes from the LORD. The righteous detest the dishonest, and the wicked detest the upright.
Proverbs 29:15
15 The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.
Proverbs 29:16
16 When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Correct your son, and he will give you peace; yes, he will bring delight to your soul.
Proverbs 29:18
18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the law is blessed.
Proverbs 29:19
19 A servant can’t be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet he will not respond.
Proverbs 29:20
20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end.
22 An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
23 A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor.
24 Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify.
25 The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe.
Proverbs 29:26
26 Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man’s justice comes from Yahweh.
27 A dishonest man detests the righteous, and the upright in their ways detest the wicked.