Proverbs, 29

1. Whoever is stiff-necked under reproof will be suddenly and irremediably broken.

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

2. When the upright are on the increase, the people rejoice; when the wicked are in power, the people groan.

2. When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

3. The lover of Wisdom makes his father glad, but the patron of prostitutes fritters his wealth away.

3. He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but one who keeps company with harlots squanders his substance.

4. A king gives a country stability by justice, an extortioner brings it to ruin.

4. By justice a king gives stability to the land, but one who exacts gifts ruins it.

5. Whoever flatters his companion spreads a net for his feet.

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

6. In the sin of the wicked lies a snare, but the upright exults and rejoices.

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

7. The upright understands the cause of the weak, the wicked has not the wit to understand it.

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

8. Scoffers set a city in ferment, but the wise moderate anger.

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

9. Let someone wise argue with a fool, anger and good humour alike will be wasted.

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

10. The bloodthirsty hate the honest, but the upright seek them out.

10. Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless, and the wicked seek his life.

11. The fool blurts out every angry feeling, but the wise subdues and restrains them.

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

12. When a ruler listens to false reports, all his ministers will be scoundrels.

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

13. Poor and oppressor are found together, Yahweh gives light to the eyes of both.

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

14. The king who judges the weak with equity sees his throne set firm for ever.

14. If a king judges the poor with equity his throne will be established for ever.

15. The stick and the reprimand bestow wisdom, a young man left to himself brings shame on his mother.

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

16. When the wicked are on the increase, sin multiplies, but the upright will witness their downfall.

16. When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases; but the righteous will look upon their downfall.

17. Correct your child, and he will give you peace of mind; he will delight your soul.

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

18. Where there is no vision the people get out of hand; happy are they who keep the law.

18. Where there is no prophecy the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

19. Not by words is a slave corrected: even if he understands, he will take no notice.

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

20. You see someone too ready of speech? There is more to be hoped for from a fool!

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

21. If a slave is pampered from childhood, he will prove ungrateful in the end.

21. He who pampers his servant from childhood, will in the end find him his heir.

22. The hot-head provokes disputes, someone in a rage commits all sorts of sins.

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

23. Pride brings humiliation, whoever humbles himself will win honour.

23. A man's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

24. To hear the curse and disclose nothing is to share with the thief and to hate oneself.

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

25. To be afraid of human beings is a snare, whoever trusts in Yahweh is secure.

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

26. Many people seek a ruler's favour, but the rights of each come from Yahweh.

26. Many seek the favor of a ruler, but from the LORD a man gets justice.

27. Abhorrent to the upright is the sinful, abhorrent to the wicked is one whose way is straight.

27. An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but he whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.