Proverbs 29

Whoever remains stiff-necked^c after many rebukes

will suddenly be destroyed^d—without remedy.^e

When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;^f

when the wicked rule,^g the people groan.^h

A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,ⁱ

but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.^j

By justice a king gives a country stability,^k

but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.

Those who flatter their neighbors

are spreading nets for their feet.^l

Evildoers are snared by their own sin,^m

but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

The righteous care about justice for the poor,ⁿ

but the wicked have no such concern.

Mockers stir up a city,

but the wise turn away anger.^o

If a wise person goes to court with a fool,

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

The bloodthirsty hate people of integrity

and seek to kill the upright.^p

Fools give full vent to their rage,^q

but the wise bring calm in the end.^r

If a ruler^s listens to lies,

all his officials become wicked.^t

The poor and the oppressor have this in common:

The Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.^u

If a king judges the poor with fairness,

his throne will be established forever.^v

A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,

but children left to themselves disgrace their mother.^w

When the wicked thrive, so does sin,

but the righteous will see their downfall.^x

Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;

they will bring you the delights you desire.^y

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;

but blessed are those who heed wisdom’s instruction.^z

Servants cannot be corrected by mere words;

though they understand, they will not respond.

Do you see someone who speaks in haste?

There is more hope for a fool than for them.^a

A servant pampered from youth

will turn out to be insolent.

An angry person stirs up dissension,

and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.^b

Pride brings a person low,^c

but the lowly in spirit gain honor.^d

The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies;

they are put under oath and dare not testify.^e

To fear^f anyone will prove to be a snare,

but whoever trusts in the Lord^g is kept safe.^h

Many seek an audience with a ruler,ⁱ

but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.^j

The righteous detest the dishonest;

the wicked detest the upright.^k