Proverbs 29

1 ¹He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be ²broken ³beyond healing.

2 When ⁴the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when ⁵the wicked rule, the people groan.

3 He who ⁶loves wisdom makes his father glad, but ⁷a companion of prostitutes ⁸squanders his wealth.

4 By justice a king ⁹builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts^[a] tears it down.

5 ¹⁰A man who flatters his neighbor spreads ¹¹a net for his feet.

6 An evil man is ¹²ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man ¹³sings and rejoices.

7 A righteous man ¹⁴knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not ¹⁵understand such knowledge.

8 ¹⁶Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.

9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is ¹⁷no quiet.

10 Bloodthirsty men ¹⁸hate one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright.^[b]

11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

12 If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.

13 The poor man and the oppressor ¹⁹meet together; the LORD ²⁰ gives light to the eyes of both.

14 If a king ²¹faithfully judges the poor, his throne will ²²be established forever.

15 ²³The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself ²⁴brings shame to his mother.

16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases, but ²⁵the righteous will look upon their downfall.

17 ²⁶Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.

18 Where ²⁷there is no prophetic vision the people ²⁸cast off restraint,^[c] but blessed is he who ²⁹keeps the law.

19 By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond.

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

21 Whoever pampers his servant from childhood will in the end find him his heir.^[d]

22 ³¹A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.

23 ³²One's pride will bring him low, ³³but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

24 The partner of a thief ³⁴hates his own life; ³⁵he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.

25 ³⁶The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.

26 Many ³⁷seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the LORD that a man ³⁸gets justice.

27 ³⁹An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but one whose way is straight is an abomination 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]; See Proverbs 1:24-27
• 2. [Isaiah 30:14; Jeremiah 19:11]
• 3. Proverbs 6:15
• 4. Proverbs 11:10; Proverbs 28:12, 28; [Esther 8:15]
• 5. [Esther 3:15]
• 6. [Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 15:20; Proverbs 27:11; Proverbs 28:7]
• 7. [Proverbs 5:9, 10; Proverbs 6:26]
• 8. Luke 15:13, 30
• 9. [ver. 14; 2 Chronicles 9:8]
• 10. Proverbs 28:23
• 11. [Psalms 9:15]
• 12. [Ecclesiastes 9:12]
• 13. [Exodus 15:1, 21; Psalms 35:27]
• 14. Job 29:16; Psalms 41:1
• 15. [Proverbs 28:27]
• 16. [Proverbs 11:11]
• 17. [Ecclesiastes 4:6]
• 18. [Genesis 4:5, 8; 1 John 3:12]
• 19. [Proverbs 22:2]
• 20. Psalms 13:3; See Job 25:3
• 21. [Psalms 72:4]
• 22. [ver. 4]; See Proverbs 16:12
• 23. See ver. 17
• 24. Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 17:25
• 25. Psalms 37:34, 36; Psalms 58:10; Psalms 91:8; Psalms 92:11
• 26. See Proverbs 13:24
• 27. 1 Samuel 3:1; [2 Chronicles 15:3; Psalms 74:9; Amos 8:11, 12]
• 28. Exodus 32:25
• 29. Luke 11:28; John 13:17; James 1:25
• 30. Proverbs 26:12
• 31. See Proverbs 15:18
• 32. Proverbs 17:19; 2 Samuel 22:28; Matthew 23:12; James 4:6; See Proverbs 11:2
• 33. Proverbs 15:33; Proverbs 18:12
• 34. See Proverbs 8:36
• 35. See Leviticus 5:1
• 36. Luke 12:4; [Genesis 12:12, 13; Genesis 20:2, 11; Genesis 26:7; John 12:42, 43]
• 37. Proverbs 19:6
• 38. Isaiah 49:4; 1 Corinthians 4:4, 5
• 39. [2 Corinthians 6:14]

Footnotes

• [a]. Or who taxes heavily
• [b]. Or but the upright seek his soul
• [c]. Or the people are discouraged
• [d]. The meaning of the Hebrew word rendered his heir is uncertain

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.