Proverbs 29

¹A man who hardens his neck after much reproof
Will suddenly be broken ^[a]beyond remedy.
² When the righteous ^[b]increase, the people rejoice,
But when a wicked man rules, people groan.
³ A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
But he who keeps company with harlots wastes his wealth.
⁴ The king gives stability to the land by justice,
But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.
⁵ A man who flatters his neighbor
Is spreading a net for his steps.
⁶ By transgression an evil man is ensnared,
But the righteous sings and rejoices.
⁷ The righteous ^[c]is concerned for the rights of the poor,
The wicked does not understand such ^[d]concern.
⁸ Scorners set a city aflame,
But wise men turn away anger.
⁹ When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man,
^[e]The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.
¹⁰ Men of bloodshed hate the blameless,
But the upright ^[f]are concerned for his life.
¹¹ A fool ^[g]always loses his temper,
But a wise man holds it back.
¹² If a ruler pays attention to falsehood,
All his ministers become wicked.
¹³ The poor man and the oppressor ^[h]have this in common:
The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
¹⁴ If a king judges the poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever.
¹⁵ The rod and reproof give wisdom,
But a child ^[i]who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.
¹⁶ When the wicked ^[j]increase, transgression increases;
But the righteous will see their fall.
¹⁷ Correct your son, and he will give you comfort;
He will also ^[k]delight your soul.
¹⁸ Where there is no ^[l]vision, the people are unrestrained,
But happy is he who keeps the law.
¹⁹ A slave will not be instructed by words alone;
For though he understands, there will be no response.
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 slave from childhood
Will in the end find him to be a son.
²² An angry man stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
²³ A man’s pride will bring him low,
But a humble spirit will obtain honor.
²⁴ He who is a partner with a thief hates his own life;
He hears the oath but tells nothing.
²⁵ The fear of man ^[m]brings a snare,
But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.
²⁶ Many seek the ruler’s ^[n]favor,
But justice for man comes from the Lord.
²⁷ An unjust man is abominable to the righteous,
And he who is upright in the way is abominable to the wicked.