Proverbs 29 (New American Standard)

Warnings and Instructions

1 A man who hardens his neck after ¹much reproof Will ²suddenly be broken ^abeyond remedy. 2 When the ³righteous ^bincrease, 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 ^cis concerned for the rights of the poor, The wicked does not understand such ^dconcern. 8 Scorners ¹¹set a city aflame, But ¹²wise men turn away anger. 9 When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, ^eThe foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest. 10 Men of ¹³bloodshed hate the blameless, But the upright ^fare concerned for his life. 11 A ¹⁴fool ^galways 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 ^hhave 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 ⁱwho gets his own way ²²brings shame to his mother. 16 When the wicked ^jincrease, transgression increases ; But the ²³righteous will see their fall. 17 ²⁴Correct your son, and he will give you comfort ; He will also ^k25delight your soul. 18 Where there is ²⁶no ^lvision, 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 ^mbrings a snare, But he who ³⁶trusts in the LORD will be exalted. 26 ³⁷Many seek the ruler's ⁿfavor, 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.