Proverbs 29
29
Use Good Sense
1If you keep being stubborn
after many warnings,
you will suddenly discover
you have gone too far.
2When justice rules a nation,
everyone is glad;
when injustice rules,
everyone groans.
3If you love wisdom
your parents will be glad,
but chasing after bad women
will cost you everything.
4An honest ruler
makes the nation strong;
a ruler who takes bribes
will bring it to ruin.
5Flattery is nothing less
than setting a trap.
6Your sins will catch you,
but everyone who lives right
will sing and celebrate.
7The wicked don't care
about the rights of the poor,
but good people do.
8Sneering at others is a spark
that sets a city on fire;
using good sense can put out
the flames of anger.
9Be wise and don't sue a fool.
You won't get satisfaction,
because all the fool will do
is sneer and shout.
10A murderer hates everyone
who is honest
and lives right.#29.10 and lives right: Or “and those who live right are friends of honest people.”
11Don't be a fool
and quickly lose your temper—
be sensible and patient.
12A ruler who listens to lies
will have corrupt officials.
13The poor and all who abuse them
must each depend on God
for light.
14Kings who are fair to the poor
will rule a long time.
15Correct your children,
and they will be wise;
children out of control
disgrace their mothers.
16Crime increases
when crooks are in power,
but law-abiding citizens
will see them fall.
17If you correct your children,
they will bring you peace
and happiness.
18Without guidance from God
law and order disappear,
but God blesses everyone
who obeys his Law.
19 #
Si 33.25-30. Even when servants are smart,
it takes more than words
to make them obey.
20There is more hope for a fool
than for someone who speaks
without thinking.
21Slaves that you treat kindly
from their childhood
will cause you sorrow.#29.21 will … sorrow: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
22A person with a quick temper
stirs up arguments
and commits a lot of sins.
23Too much pride brings disgrace;
humility leads to honor.
24If you take part in a crime
you are your worst enemy,
because even under oath
you can't tell the truth.
25Don't fall into the trap
of being a coward—
trust the Lord,
and you will be safe.
26Many try to make friends
with a ruler,
but justice comes
from the Lord.
27Good people and criminals
can't stand each other.
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 29
29
1 # [1 Sam. 2:25]; See ch. 1:24-27 He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
will suddenly be #[Isa. 30:14; Jer. 19:11] broken #ch. 6:15beyond healing.
2When #ch. 11:10; 28:12, 28; [Esth. 8:15] the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
but when #[Esth. 3:15]the wicked rule, the people groan.
3He who #[ch. 10:1; 15:20; 27:11; 28:7] loves wisdom makes his father glad,
but #[ch. 5:9, 10; 6:26] a companion of prostitutes #Luke 15:13, 30squanders his wealth.
4By justice a king #[ver. 14; 2 Chr. 9:8]builds up the land,
but he who exacts gifts#29:4 Or who taxes heavily tears it down.
5 # ch. 28:23 A man who flatters his neighbor
spreads #[Ps. 9:15]a net for his feet.
6An evil man is #[Eccles. 9:12] ensnared in his transgression,
but a righteous man #[Ex. 15:1, 21; Ps. 35:27]sings and rejoices.
7A righteous man #Job 29:16; Ps. 41:1 knows the rights of the poor;
a wicked man does not #[ch. 28:27]understand such knowledge.
8 # [ch. 11:11] Scoffers set a city aflame,
but the wise turn away wrath.
9If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
the fool only rages and laughs, and there is #[Eccles. 4:6]no quiet.
10Bloodthirsty men #[Gen. 4:5, 8; 1 John 3:12]hate one who is blameless
and seek the life of the upright.#29:10 Or but the upright seek his soul
11A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
but a wise man quietly holds it back.
12If a ruler listens to falsehood,
all his officials will be wicked.
13The poor man and the oppressor #[ch. 22:2] meet together;
the Lord #Ps. 13:3; See Job 25:3gives light to the eyes of both.
14If a king #[Ps. 72:4] faithfully judges the poor,
his throne will #[ver. 4]; See ch. 16:12be established forever.
15 # See ver. 17 The rod and reproof give wisdom,
but a child left to himself #ch. 10:1; 17:25brings shame to his mother.
16When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
but #Ps. 37:34, 36; 58:10; 91:8; 92:11the righteous will look upon their downfall.
17 # See ch. 13:24 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
he will give delight to your heart.
18Where #1 Sam. 3:1; [2 Chr. 15:3; Ps. 74:9; Amos 8:11, 12] there is no prophetic vision the people #Ex. 32:25 cast off restraint,#29:18 Or the people are discouraged
but blessed is he who #Luke 11:28; John 13:17; James 1:25keeps the law.
19By mere words a servant is not disciplined,
for though he understands, he will not respond.
20Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
# ch. 26:12 There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21Whoever pampers his servant from childhood
will in the end find him his heir.#29:21 The meaning of the Hebrew word rendered his heir is uncertain
22 # See ch. 15:18 A man of wrath stirs up strife,
and one given to anger causes much transgression.
23 # ch. 17:19; 2 Sam. 22:28; Matt. 23:12; James 4:6; See ch. 11:2 One’s pride will bring him low,
# ch. 15:33; 18:12 but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
24The partner of a thief #See ch. 8:36 hates his own life;
# See Lev. 5:1 he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
25 #
Luke 12:4; [Gen. 12:12, 13; 20:2, 11; 26:7; John 12:42, 43] The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
26Many #ch. 19:6 seek the face of a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that a man #Isa. 49:4; 1 Cor. 4:4, 5gets justice.
27 # [2 Cor. 6:14] An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.
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