Proverbs 29
29
If People Can’t See What God Is Doing
1For people who hate discipline
and only get more stubborn,
There’ll come a day when life tumbles in and they break,
but by then it’ll be too late to help them.
2When good people run things, everyone is glad,
but when the ruler is bad, everyone groans.
3If you love wisdom, you’ll delight your parents,
but you’ll destroy their trust if you run with prostitutes.
4A leader of good judgment gives stability;
an exploiting leader leaves a trail of waste.
5A flattering neighbor is up to no good;
he’s probably planning to take advantage of you.
6Evil people fall into their own traps;
good people run the other way, glad to escape.
7The good-hearted understand what it’s like to be poor;
the hardhearted haven’t the faintest idea.
8A gang of cynics can upset a whole city;
a group of sages can calm everyone down.
9A sage trying to work things out with a fool
gets only scorn and sarcasm for his trouble.
10Murderers hate honest people;
moral folks encourage them.
11A fool lets it all hang out;
a sage quietly mulls it over.
12When a leader listens to malicious gossip,
all the workers get infected with evil.
13The poor and their abusers have at least something in common:
they can both see—their sight, God’s gift!
14Leadership gains authority and respect
when the voiceless poor are treated fairly.
15Wise discipline imparts wisdom;
spoiled adolescents embarrass their parents.
16When degenerates take charge, crime runs wild,
but the righteous will eventually observe their collapse.
17Discipline your children; you’ll be glad you did—
they’ll turn out delightful to live with.
18If people can’t see what God is doing,
they stumble all over themselves;
But when they attend to what he reveals,
they are most blessed.
19It takes more than talk to keep workers in line;
mere words go in one ear and out the other.
20Observe the people who always talk before they think—
even simpletons are better off than they are.
21If you let people treat you like a doormat,
you’ll be quite forgotten in the end.
22Angry people stir up a lot of discord;
the intemperate stir up trouble.
23Pride lands you flat on your face;
humility prepares you for honors.
24Befriend an outlaw
and become an enemy to yourself.
When the victims cry out,
you’ll be included in their curses
if you’re a coward to their cause in court.
25The fear of human opinion disables;
trusting in God protects you from that.
26Everyone tries to get help from the leader,
but only God will give us justice.
27Good people can’t stand the sight of deliberate evil;
the wicked can’t stand the sight of well-chosen goodness.
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Proverbs 29: MSG
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THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of NavPress. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers.
Proverbs 29
29
1One who becomes stiff-necked,
after many reprimands
will be shattered instantly —
beyond recovery.#Pr 1:24–31; 6:14–15
2When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, people groan.#Ex 2:23; Est 8:15; Pr 11:10; 28:12,28
3A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,#Pr 10:1; 15:20; 23:24–25; 27:11; 28:7
but one who consorts with prostitutes destroys his wealth.#Pr 5:9–10; 6:26; Lk 15:13,30
4By justice a king brings stability to a land,#2Ch 9:8; Pr 29:14
but a person who demands “contributions”#29:4 The Hb word for contributions usually refers to offerings in worship.
demolishes it.#Pr 17:23
5A person who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet.#Pr 26:28; 27:6; 28:23
6An evil person is caught by sin,#Pr 12:13; 18:7; Ec 9:12
but the righteous one sings and rejoices.#Ex 15:1
7The righteous person knows the rights#29:7 Lit justice of the poor,#Jb 29:16; Ps 41:1
but the wicked one does not understand these concerns.
8Mockers inflame a city,#Pr 11:11; 26:21; 29:22
but the wise turn away anger.
9If a wise person goes to court with a fool,
there will be ranting and raving but no resolution.#29:9 Lit rest#Pr 26:4
10Bloodthirsty men hate an honest person,#Gn 4:5–8; 1Jn 3:12
but the upright care about him.#29:10 Or person, and seek the life of the upright
11A fool gives full vent to his anger,#29:11 Lit spirit#Pr 12:16
but a wise person holds it in check.#Pr 16:32; 25:28
12If a ruler listens to lies,#1Kg 22:8,21–23
all his officials will be wicked.
13The poor and the oppressor have this in common:#29:13 Lit oppressor meet
the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.#Pr 22:2
14A king who judges the poor with fairness —
his throne will be established forever.#Ps 72:4; Pr 16:12; 25:5; Is 11:4
15A rod of correction imparts wisdom,#Pr 13:24; 22:15
but a youth left to himself#29:15 Lit youth sent away
is a disgrace to his mother.#Pr 10:1; 17:25
16When the wicked increase, rebellion increases,
but the righteous will see their downfall.#Ps 37:34,36; 58:10; 91:8; 92:11
17Discipline your child,#Pr 13:24 and it will bring you peace of mind
and give you delight.
18Without revelation#29:18 Lit vision#1Sm 3:1; Ps 74:9; Am 8:11–12 people run wild,#Ex 32:25
but one who follows divine instruction will be happy.#Ps 119:2; Pr 8:32; Jn 13:17; Jms 1:25
19A servant cannot be disciplined by words;
though he understands, he doesn’t respond.#Mt 18:17
20Do you see someone who speaks too soon?#Lv 5:4; Jdg 11:30–31,34; Pr 10:19; 17:27; 19:2; 20:25
There is more hope for a fool than for him.#Pr 26:12
21A servant pampered from his youth
will become arrogant#29:21 Hb obscure later on.
22An angry person stirs up conflict,
and a hot-tempered one#29:22 Lit a master of rage increases rebellion.#Pr 15:18; 26:21; 28:25
23A person’s pride will humble him,#2Sm 22:28; Mt 23:12; Jms 4:6
but a humble spirit will gain honor.#Pr 11:2; 15:33; 18:12; 22:4
24To be a thief’s partner is to hate oneself;
he hears the curse but will not testify.#Lv 5:1; Jos 7:19; Zch 5:3–4; Jn 9:24
25The fear of mankind is a snare,#Gn 12:12; 20:2; 1Sm 13:11; Lk 12:4; Jn 12:42–43
but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected.#29:25 Lit raised high#Pr 14:27; 18:10
26Many desire a ruler’s favor,#Pr 16:15; 19:6
but a person receives justice from the Lord.#Is 49:4; 1Co 4:4–5
27An unjust person is detestable to the righteous,
and one whose way is upright
is detestable to the wicked.#Pr 29:10; Mt 10:22; Jn 15:18; 1Jn 3:13
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