Proverbs 29

Warnings and Instructions

1 A man who hardens his neck after ¹much reproof Will ²suddenly be broken beyond remedy.

2 When the ³righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan.

3 A man who ⁴loves wisdom makes his father glad, But he who ⁵keeps company with harlots wastes his wealth.

4 The ⁶king gives stability to the land by justice, But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.

5 A man who ⁷flatters his neighbor Is spreading a net for his steps.

6 By transgression an evil man is ⁸ensnared, But the righteous ⁹sings and rejoices.

7 The ¹⁰righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor, The wicked does not understand such concern.

8 Scorners * ¹¹set a city aflame, But ¹²wise men turn away anger.

9 When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.

10 Men of ¹³bloodshed hate the blameless, But the upright are concerned for his life.

11 A ¹⁴fool always loses his temper, But a ¹⁵wise man holds it back.

12 If a ¹⁶ruler pays attention to falsehood, All his ministers become wicked.

13 The ¹⁷poor man and the oppressor * have this in common: The LORD gives ¹⁸light to the eyes of both.

14 If a ¹⁹king judges the poor with truth, His ²⁰throne will be established forever.

15 The ²¹rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way ²²brings shame to his mother.

16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases; But the ²³righteous will see their fall.

17 ²⁴Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; He will also ²⁵delight your soul.

18 Where there is ²⁶no vision, the people ²⁷are unrestrained, But ²⁸happy is he who keeps the law.

19 A slave will not be instructed by words alone; For though he understands, there will be no response.

20 Do you see a man who is ²⁹hasty in his words? There is ³⁰more hope for a fool than for him.

21 He who pampers his slave from childhood Will in the end find him to be a son.

22 An ³¹angry man stirs up strife, And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

23 A man's ³²pride will bring him low, But a ³³humble spirit will obtain honor.

24 He who is a partner with a thief hates his own life; He ³⁴hears the oath but tells nothing.

25 The ³⁵fear of man brings a snare, But he who ³⁶trusts in the LORD will be exalted.

26 ³⁷Many seek the ruler's favor, But ³⁸justice for man comes from the LORD.

27 An ³⁹unjust man is abominable to the righteous, And he who is ⁴⁰upright in the way is abominable to the wicked.

Proverbs 29 Commentary

Chapter 29

Verse 1 If God wounds, who can heal? The word of God warns all to flee from the wrath to come, to the hope set before us in Jesus Christ. Verse 2 . The people have cause to rejoice or mourn, as their rulers are righteous or wicked. Verse 3 . Divine wisdom best keeps us from ruinous lusts. Verse 4 . The Lord Jesus is the King who will minister true judgment to the people. Verse 5 . Flatterers put men off their guard, which betrays them into foolish conduct. Verse 6 . Transgressions always end in vexations. Righteous men walk at liberty, and walk in safety. Verse 7 . This verse is applicable to compassion for the distress of the poor, and the unfeeling disregard shown by the wicked. Verse 8 . The scornful mock at things sacred and serious. Men who promote religion, which is true wisdom, turn away the wrath of God. Verse 9 . If a wise man dispute with a conceited wrangler, he will be treated with anger or ridicule; and no good is done. Verse 10 . Christ told his disciples that they should be hated of all men. The just, whom the blood-thirsty hate, gladly do any thing for their salvation. Verse 11 . He is a fool who tells every thing he knows, and can keep no counsel. Verse 12 . One who loves flatterers, and hearkens to slanderers, causes his servants to become liars and false accusers. Verse 13 . Some are poor, others have a great deal of deceitful riches. They meet in the business of this world; the Lord gives to both the comforts of this life. To some of both sorts he gives his grace. Verse 14 . The rich will look to themselves, but the poor and needy the prince must defend and plead for. Verse 15 . Parents must consider the benefit of due correction, and the mischief of undue indulgence. Verse 16 . Let not the righteous have their faith and hope shocked by the increase of sin and sinners, but let them wait with patience. Verse 17 . Children must not be suffered to go without rebuke when they do amiss. Verse 18 . How bare does a place look without Bibles and ministers! and what an easy prey is it to the enemy of souls! That gospel is an open vision, which holds forth Christ, which humbles the sinner and exalts the Saviour, which promotes holiness in the life and conversation: and these are precious truths to keep the soul alive, and prevent it from perishing. Verse 19 . Here is an unprofitable, slothful, wicked servant; one that serves not from conscience, or love, but from fear. Verse 20 . When a man is self-conceited, rash, and given to wrangling, there is more hope of the ignorant and profligate. Verse 21 . Good usage to a servant does not mean indulgence, which would ruin even a child. The body is a servant to the soul; those that humour it, and are over-tender of it, will find it forget its place. Verse 22 . An angry, passionate disposition makes men provoking to one another, and provoking to God. Verse 23 . Only those who humble themselves shall be exalted and established. Verse 24 . The receiver is as bad as the thief. Verse 25 . Many are ashamed to own Christ now; and he will not own them in the day of judgment. But he that trusts in the Lord will be saved from this snare. Verse 26 . The wisest course is, to look to God, and seek the favour of the Ruler of rulers; for every creature is that to us which God makes it to be. Verse 27 . The just man abhors the sins of the wicked, and shuns their company. Christ exposed the wickedness of men, yet prayed for the wicked when they were crucifying him. Hatred to sin in ourselves and others, is a needful branch of the Christian temper. But all that are unholy, have rooted hatred to godliness.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Samuel 2:25; 2 Chronicles 36:16; Proverbs 1:24-31
• 2. Proverbs 6:15
• 3. Esther 8:15; Proverbs 11:10; Proverbs 28:12
• 4. Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 15:20; Proverbs 27:11; Proverbs 28:7
• 5. Proverbs 5:10; Proverbs 6:26; Luke 15:30
• 6. 2 Chronicles 9:8; Proverbs 8:15; Proverbs 29:14
• 7. Psalms 5:9
• 8. Proverbs 22:5; Ecclesiastes 9:12
• 9. Exodus 15:1
• 10. Job 29:16; Psalms 41:1; Proverbs 31:8, 9
• 11. Proverbs 11:11
• 12. Proverbs 16:14
• 13. Genesis 4:5-8; 1 John 3:12
• 14. Proverbs 12:16; Proverbs 14:33
• 15. Proverbs 19:11
• 16. 1 Kings 12:14
• 17. Proverbs 22:2
• 18. Ezra 9:8; Psalms 13:3
• 19. Psalms 72:4; Isaiah 11:4
• 20. Proverbs 16:12; Proverbs 25:5
• 21. Proverbs 13:24; Proverbs 22:15
• 22. Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 17:25
• 23. Psalms 37:34, 36; Psalms 58:10; Psalms 91:8; Psalms 92:11; Proverbs 21:12
• 24. Proverbs 13:24; Proverbs 29:15
• 25. Proverbs 10:1
• 26. 1 Samuel 3:1; Psalms 74:9; Amos 8:11, 12
• 27. Exodus 32:25
• 28. Psalms 1:1, 2; Psalms 106:3; Psalms 119:2; Proverbs 8:32; John 13:17
• 29. James 1:19
• 30. Proverbs 26:12
• 31. Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 26:21
• 32. Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 16:18; Daniel 4:30, 31; Matthew 23:12; James 4:6
• 33. Proverbs 15:33; Proverbs 18:12; Proverbs 22:4; Isaiah 66:2; Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14; James 4:10
• 34. Leviticus 5:1
• 35. Genesis 12:12; Genesis 20:2; Luke 12:4; John 12:42, 43
• 36. Psalms 91:1-16; Proverbs 18:10; Proverbs 28:25
• 37. Proverbs 19:6
• 38. Isaiah 49:4; 1 Corinthians 4:4
• 39. Psalms 6:8; Psalms 139:21, 22; Proverbs 12:8
• 40. Psalms 69:4; Proverbs 29:10; Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:9; John 15:18; John 17:14; 1 John 3:13

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "and there is no remedy"
• [b]. Or "become great"
• [c]. Lit "knows the cause"
• [d]. Lit "knowledge"
• [e]. Lit "He"
• [f]. Lit "seek his soul"
• [g]. Lit "sends forth all his spirit"
• [h]. Lit "meet together"
• [i]. Lit "left to himself"
• [j]. Or "become great"
• [k]. Lit "give delight to"
• [l]. Or "revelation"
• [m]. Lit "gives"
• [n]. Lit "face"

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 16

This chapter contains a prophecy of the ruin of the family of Baasha, and an account of his death, 1Ki 16:1-7, and of his son's reigning in his stead two years, who was slain by Zimri one of his captains, 1Ki 16:8-14, and who reigned but seven days, 1Ki 16:15-20, and the people being divided between Tibni and Omri, the party for the latter prevailed, and he was made king, and reigned twelve years, 1Ki 16:21-28, and was succeeded by his son Ahab, a very wicked prince, 1Ki 16:29-33, and the chapter is concluded with the rebuilding of Jericho, 1Ki 16:34.