Shared Word Translation
Proverbs 29
Justice Establishes a People
One who is often corrected
yet stiffens the neck
will suddenly be broken
beyond healing.
When the righteous increase,
the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule,
the people groan.
Whoever loves wisdom
makes a parent glad,
but one who keeps company with prostitutes
squanders wealth.
By justice a king
establishes the land,
but one who demands gifts
tears it down.
A person who flatters a neighbor
spreads a net
for their feet.
An evil person
is caught by their transgression,
but the righteous
sing and rejoice.
The righteous know
the rights of the poor;
the wicked
do not understand such knowledge.
Scoffers inflame a city,
but the wise
turn away anger.
If a wise person
enters a dispute with a fool,
the fool rages and laughs,
and there is no rest.
Bloodthirsty people
hate the blameless,
but the upright
seek to preserve their life.
Discipline and Restraint
A fool gives full vent
to the spirit,
but the wise
calmly hold it back.
If a ruler listens to falsehood,
all the ruler’s servants
become wicked.
The poor person and the oppressor
meet together;
the LORD gives light
to the eyes of both.
If a king judges the poor
with faithfulness,
the throne
will be established forever.
The rod and correction
give wisdom,
but a child left without guidance
brings shame to a mother.
When the wicked increase,
transgression increases,
but the righteous
will see their downfall.
Discipline your child,
and they will give you rest
and bring delight
to your life.
Where there is no vision,
a people cast off restraint,
but blessed is the one
who keeps instruction.
A servant
will not be corrected by words alone;
though understanding,
there may be no response.
Do you see someone
hasty in speech?
There is more hope
for a fool than for them.
Pride, Fear, and Justice
Whoever pampers a servant
from youth
may find in the end
that the servant claims the household.
An angry person
stirs up conflict,
and one given to rage
commits many transgressions.
A person’s pride
will bring them low,
but one humble in spirit
will obtain honor.
Whoever shares with a thief
hates their own life;
they hear the oath
but disclose nothing.
Fear of another person
sets a snare,
but whoever trusts in the LORD
is set securely.
Many seek
the face of a ruler,
but a person’s justice
comes from the LORD.
An unjust person
is an abomination to the righteous,
and one whose way is upright
is an abomination to the wicked.