Proverbs 29

29He ^awho is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,

Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

²When the righteous ¹are in authority, the ^bpeople rejoice;

But when a wicked man rules, ^cthe people groan.

³Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,

But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.

⁴The king establishes the land by justice,

But he who receives bribes overthrows it.

⁵A man who ^dflatters his neighbor

Spreads a net for his feet.

⁶By transgression an evil man is snared,

But the righteous sings and rejoices.

⁷The righteous ^econsiders the cause of the poor,

But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.

⁸Scoffers ^fset a city aflame,

But wise men turn away wrath.

⁹If a wise man contends with a foolish man,

^gWhether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.

^10hThe bloodthirsty hate the blameless,

But the upright seek his ²well-being.

¹¹A fool vents all his ⁱfeelings, ³

But a wise man holds them back.

¹²If a ruler pays attention to lies,

All his servants become wicked.

¹³The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:

^jThe Lord gives light to the eyes of both.

¹⁴The king who judges the ^kpoor with truth,

His throne will be established forever.

¹⁵The rod and rebuke give ^lwisdom,

But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

¹⁶When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases;

But the righteous will see their ^mfall.

¹⁷Correct your son, and he will give you rest;

Yes, he will give delight to your soul.

¹⁸ⁿWhere there is no ⁴revelation, the people cast off restraint;

But ^ohappy is he who keeps the law.

¹⁹A servant will not be corrected by mere words;

For though he understands, he will not respond.

²⁰Do you see a man hasty in his words?

^pThere is more hope for a fool than for him.

²¹He who pampers his servant from childhood

Will have him as a son in the end.

^22qAn angry man stirs up strife,

And a furious man abounds in transgression.

^23rA man’s pride will bring him low,

But the humble in spirit will retain honor.

²⁴Whoever is a partner with a thief hates his own life;

^sHe ⁵swears to tell the truth, but reveals nothing.

^25tThe fear of man brings a snare,

But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be ⁶safe.

^26uMany seek the ruler’s ⁷favor,

But justice for man comes from the Lord.

²⁷An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,

And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.