Proverbs 29 (New International Version)

1 A man who remains stiff-necked¹ after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed²--without remedy.³ 2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;⁴ when the wicked rule,⁵ the people groan.⁶ 3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,⁷ but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.⁸ 4 By justice a king gives a country stability,⁹ but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down. 5 Whoever flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet.¹⁰ 6 An evil man is snared by his own sin,¹¹ but a righteous one can sing and be glad. 7 The righteous care about justice for the poor,¹² but the wicked have no such concern. 8 Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.¹³ 9 If a wise man goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace. 10 Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity and seek to kill the upright.¹⁴ 11 A fool gives full vent to his anger,¹⁵ but a wise man keeps himself under control.¹⁶ 12 If a ruler¹⁷ listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.¹⁸ 13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.¹⁹ 14 If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will always be secure.²⁰ 15 The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.²¹ 16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall.²² 17 Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.²³ 18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.²⁴ 19 A servant cannot be corrected by mere words; though he understands, he will not respond. 20 Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.²⁵ 21 If a man pampers his servant from youth, he will bring grief^a in the end. 22 An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.²⁶ 23 A man's pride brings him low,²⁷ but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.²⁸ 24 The accomplice of a thief is his own enemy; he is put under oath and dare not testify.²⁹ 25 Fear³⁰ of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD³¹ is kept safe.³² 26 Many seek an audience with a ruler,³³ but it is from the LORD that man gets justice.³⁴ 27 The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.³⁵