Proverbs 29
29 zHe who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
will suddenly be abroken bbeyond healing.
2 When cthe righteous increase, the people rejoice,
but when dthe wicked rule, the people groan.
3 He who eloves wisdom makes his father glad,
but fa companion of prostitutes gsquanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king hbuilds up the land,
but he who exacts gifts1 tears it down.
5 iA man who flatters his neighbor
spreads ja net for his feet.
6 An evil man is kensnared in his transgression,
but a righteous man lsings and rejoices.
7 A righteous man mknows the rights of the poor;
a wicked man does not nunderstand such knowledge.
8 oScoffers set a city aflame,
but the wise turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
the fool only rages and laughs, and there is pno quiet.
10 Bloodthirsty men qhate one who is blameless
and seek the life of the upright.2
11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
but a wise man quietly holds it back.
12 If a ruler listens to falsehood,
all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor rmeet together;
the Lord sgives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king tfaithfully judges the poor,
his throne will ube established forever.
15 vThe rod and reproof give wisdom,
but a child left to himself wbrings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
but xthe righteous will look upon their downfall.
17 yDiscipline your son, and he will give you rest;
he will give delight to your heart.
18 Where zthere is no prophetic vision the people acast off restraint,3
but blessed is he who bkeeps the law.
19 By mere words a servant is not disciplined,
for though he understands, he will not respond.
20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
cThere is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 Whoever pampers his servant from childhood
will in the end find him his heir.4
22 dA man of wrath stirs up strife,
and one given to anger causes much transgression.
23 eOne’s pride will bring him low,
fbut he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
24 The partner of a thief ghates his own life;
hhe hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
25 iThe fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
26 Many jseek the face of a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that a man kgets justice.
27 lAn unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.
Proverbs 31:1–31
31 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
2 What are you doing, my son?1 What are you doing, fson of my womb?
What are you doing, gson of my vows?
3 Do hnot give your strength to women,
your ways to those iwho destroy kings.
4 jIt is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings kto drink wine,
or for rulers to take lstrong drink,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
and mpervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to the one who nis perishing,
and wine to othose in bitter distress;2
7 plet them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
8 qOpen your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.3
9 Open your mouth, rjudge righteously,
sdefend the rights of tthe poor and needy.
10 4 uAn excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than vjewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She wseeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She xrises while it is yet night
and yprovides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She zdresses herself5 with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She aopens her hand to bthe poor
and reaches out her hands to bthe needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in cscarlet.6
22 She makes dbed coverings for herself;
her clothing is efine linen and fpurple.
23 Her husband is known in gthe gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes hlinen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 iStrength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many jwomen have done kexcellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 lCharm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.