Proverbs 29:5-13
Proverbs 29:5-13 The Message (MSG)
A flattering neighbor is up to no good; he’s probably planning to take advantage of you. Evil people fall into their own traps; good people run the other way, glad to escape. The good-hearted understand what it’s like to be poor; the hardhearted haven’t the faintest idea. A gang of cynics can upset a whole city; a group of sages can calm everyone down. A sage trying to work things out with a fool gets only scorn and sarcasm for his trouble. Murderers hate honest people; moral folks encourage them. A fool lets it all hang out; a sage quietly mulls it over. When a leader listens to malicious gossip, all the workers get infected with evil. The poor and their abusers have at least something in common: they can both see—their sight, GOD’s gift!
Proverbs 29:5-13 King James Version (KJV)
A man that flattereth his neighbour Spreadeth a net for his feet. In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: But the righteous doth sing and rejoice. The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: But the wicked regardeth not to know it. Scornful men bring a city into a snare: But wise men turn away wrath. If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, Whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. The bloodthirsty hate the upright: But the just seek his soul. A fool uttereth all his mind: But a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. If a ruler hearken to lies, All his servants are wicked. The poor and the deceitful man meet together: The LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
Proverbs 29:5-13 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
A man who flatters his neighbor Is spreading a net for his steps. By transgression an evil man is ensnared, But the righteous sings and rejoices. The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor, The wicked does not understand such concern. Scorners set a city aflame, But wise men turn away anger. When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest. Men of bloodshed hate the blameless, But the upright are concerned for his life. A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back. If a ruler pays attention to falsehood, All his ministers become wicked. The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
Proverbs 29:5-13 New Century Version (NCV)
Those who give false praise to their neighbors are setting a trap for them. Evil people are trapped by their own sin, but good people can sing and be happy. Good people care about justice for the poor, but the wicked are not concerned. People who make fun of wisdom cause trouble in a city, but wise people calm anger down. When a wise person takes a foolish person to court, the fool only shouts or laughs, and there is no peace. Murderers hate an honest person and try to kill those who do right. Foolish people lose their tempers, but wise people control theirs. If a ruler pays attention to lies, all his officers will become wicked. The poor person and the cruel person are alike in that the LORD gave eyes to both of them.
Proverbs 29:5-13 American Standard Version (ASV)
A man that flattereth his neighbor Spreadeth a net for his steps. In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare; But the righteous doth sing and rejoice. The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor; The wicked hath not understanding to know it. Scoffers set a city in a flame; But wise men turn away wrath. If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man, Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest. The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect; And as for the upright, they seek his life. A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it. If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, All his servants are wicked. The poor man and the oppressor meet together; Jehovah lighteneth the eyes of them both.
Proverbs 29:5-13 New International Version (NIV)
Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet. Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy and are glad. The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger. If a wise person goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace. The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity and seek to kill the upright. Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked. The poor and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.
Proverbs 29:5-13 New King James Version (NKJV)
A man who flatters his neighbor Spreads a net for his feet. By transgression an evil man is snared, But the righteous sings and rejoices. The righteous considers the cause of the poor, But the wicked does not understand such knowledge. Scoffers set a city aflame, But wise men turn away wrath. If a wise man contends with a foolish man, Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace. The bloodthirsty hate the blameless, But the upright seek his well-being. A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back. If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked. The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
Proverbs 29:5-13 Amplified Bible (AMP)
A man who flatters his neighbor [with smooth words intending to do harm] Is spreading a net for his own feet. By his wicked plan an evil man is trapped, But the righteous man sings and rejoices [for his plan brings good things to him]. The righteous man cares for the rights of the poor, But the wicked man has no interest in such knowledge. [Job 29:16; 31:13; Ps 41:1] Scoffers set a city afire [by stirring up trouble], But wise men turn away anger [and restore order with their good judgment]. If a wise man has a controversy with a foolish and arrogant man, The foolish man [ignores logic and fairness and] only rages or laughs, and there is no peace (rest, agreement). The bloodthirsty hate the blameless [because of his integrity], But the upright are concerned for his life. [Gen 4:5, 8; 1 John 3:12] A [shortsighted] fool always loses his temper and displays his anger, But a wise man [uses self-control and] holds it back. If a ruler pays attention to lies [and encourages corruption], All his officials will become wicked. The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both. [Prov 22:2]
Proverbs 29:5-13 New Living Translation (NLT)
To flatter friends is to lay a trap for their feet. Evil people are trapped by sin, but the righteous escape, shouting for joy. The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don’t care at all. Mockers can get a whole town agitated, but the wise will calm anger. If a wise person takes a fool to court, there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction. The bloodthirsty hate blameless people, but the upright seek to help them. Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. If a ruler pays attention to liars, all his advisers will be wicked. The poor and the oppressor have this in common— the LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.
Proverbs 29:5-13 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Flattery can often be used as a trap to hide ulterior motives and take advantage of you. The wicked always have a trap laid for others, but the lovers of God escape as they sing and shout in joyous triumph! God’s righteous people will pour themselves out for the poor, but the ungodly make no attempt to understand or help the needy. Arrogant cynics love to pick fights, but the humble and wise love to pursue peace. There’s no use arguing with a fool, for his ranting and raving prevent you from making a case and settling the argument in a calm way. Violent men hate those with integrity, but the lovers of God esteem those who are holy. You can recognize fools by the way they give full vent to their rage and let their words fly! But the wise bite their tongues and hold back all they could say. When leaders listen to false accusations, their associates become scoundrels. Poor people and their oppressors have only one thing in common— God made them both.
Proverbs 29:5-13 English Standard Version 2025 (ESV)
A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. An evil man is ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man sings and rejoices. A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge. Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath. If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet. Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright. A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked. The poor man and the oppressor meet together; the LORD gives light to the eyes of both.