Proverbs 29

¹Whoever 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 those who are greedy for^[a] bribes tear it down.

⁵ Those who flatter their neighbors
    are spreading nets for their feet.

⁶ Evildoers are snared by their own sin,
    but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

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

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

⁹ 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.

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

¹² If a ruler listens to lies,
    all his officials become 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 with fairness,
    his throne will be established forever.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

²³ Pride brings a person low,
    but the lowly in spirit gain honor.

²⁴ The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies;
    they are 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 one gets justice.

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