Proverbs 21:29

29 Unscrupulous people fake it a lot; honest people are sure of their steps.

Proverbs 21:29 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 21:29

A wicked man hardeneth his face
Against all corrections and reproofs of parents, masters, ministers, and others; he blushes not at sins committed, and is not ashamed of them, but glories in them: or, he "strengthens with his face" F12; he puts an impudent face upon his words, and confirms them by his impudence; if he tells the most notorious lies, and says things the most shameful and scandalous, his countenance does not alter, by which he would be thought to have spoken what is right and true; but [as for] the upright, he directeth his way;
or "his ways" F13; according to the various reading; the man that is upright in heart, and walks uprightly, he directs his way according to the word of God; and, if he does amiss, when sensible he is ashamed of it, and amends.


FOOTNOTES:

F12 (wynpb zeh) "roborat vultu suo", Baynus; "in faciebus suis", Montanus.
F13 (wykrd) (ta odouv autou) , Sept. "vias suas", Baynus, Tigurine version, Mercerus, Gejerus.

Proverbs 21:29 In-Context

27 Religious performance by the wicked stinks; it's even worse when they use it to get ahead.
28 A lying witness is unconvincing; a person who speaks truth is respected.
29 Unscrupulous people fake it a lot; honest people are sure of their steps.
30 Nothing clever, nothing conceived, nothing contrived, can get the better of God.
31 Do your best, prepare for the worst - then trust God to bring victory.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.