Proverbs 29:2–12

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,

but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,

but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

By justice a king builds up the land,

but he who exacts gifts tears it down.

A man who flatters his neighbor

spreads a net for his feet.

An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,

but a righteous man sings and rejoices.

A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;

a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.

Scoffers set a city aflame,

but the wise turn away wrath.

If a wise man has an argument with a fool,

the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.

Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless

and seek the life of the upright.

A fool gives full vent to his spirit,

but a wise man quietly holds it back.

If a ruler listens to falsehood,

all his officials will be wicked.

When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;

when the wicked rule, the people groan.

A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,

but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

By justice a king gives a country stability,

but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.

Those who flatter their neighbors

are spreading nets for their 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.

Mockers stir up a city,

but the wise turn away anger.

If a wise person goes to court with a fool,

the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.

The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity

and seek to kill the upright.

Fools give full vent to their rage,

but the wise bring calm in the end.

If a ruler listens to lies,

all his officials become wicked.

When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice,

but when the wicked rule, people groan.

A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,

but one who consorts with prostitutes destroys his wealth.

By justice a king brings stability to a land,

but a person who demands “contributions”

demolishes it.

A person who flatters his neighbor

spreads a net for his feet.

An evil person is caught by sin,

but the righteous one sings and rejoices.

The righteous person knows the rights of the poor,

but the wicked one does not understand these concerns.

Mockers inflame a city,

but the wise turn away anger.

If a wise person goes to court with a fool,

there will be ranting and raving but no resolution.

Bloodthirsty men hate an honest person,

but the upright care about him.

A fool gives full vent to his anger,

but a wise person holds it in check.

If a ruler listens to lies,

all his officials will be wicked.

When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice.

But when the wicked are in power, they groan.

The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,

but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted.

A just king gives stability to his nation,

but one who demands bribes destroys it.

To flatter friends

is to lay a trap for their feet.

Evil people are trapped by sin,

but the righteous escape, shouting for joy.

The godly care about the rights of the poor;

the wicked don’t care at all.

Mockers can get a whole town agitated,

but the wise will calm anger.

If a wise person takes a fool to court,

there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction.

The bloodthirsty hate blameless people,

but the upright seek to help them.

Fools vent their anger,

but the wise quietly hold it back.

If a ruler pays attention to liars,

all his advisers will be wicked.

When the righteous are numerous, the people will rejoice,

but when the wicked are ruling, people will groan.

A man who loves wisdom will make his parents glad,

but the friend of prostitutes will squander his wealth.

By justice a king gives stability to a land,

but a man of bribes will ruin it.

A strong man who flatters his neighbor

is spreading a net for his feet.

In transgression, an evil man is a snare,

but the righteous will sing and rejoice.

The righteous knows the case of the poor,

but the wicked does not understand knowledge.

Men of scoffing set a city aflame,

but the wise turn away wrath.

If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man,

then there is rankling and ridicule, but there is no relief.

Men of blood hate the blameless,

and they seek the life of the upright.

A fool gives all his breath,

but the wise holds back in quiet.

A ruler listening to a word of falsehood,

all his officials are wicked.

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice:

But when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father:

But he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

The king by judgment establisheth the land:

But he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

A man that flattereth his neighbour

Spreadeth a net for his feet.

In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare:

But the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

The righteous considereth the cause of the poor:

But the wicked regardeth not to know it.

Scornful men bring a city into a snare:

But wise men turn away wrath.

If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man,

Whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

The bloodthirsty hate the upright:

But the just seek his soul.

A fool uttereth all his mind:

But a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

If a ruler hearken to lies,

All his servants are wicked.