The Stiff-Necked will Be Destroyed
1He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
4The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
5A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
6In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
8Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
9If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
12If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
13The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
14The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
15The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
16When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
17Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
18Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
19A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
20Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
21He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
22An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
23A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
24Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
25The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
26Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.
27An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
The Flourishing of the Righteous
1 He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.
2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
6 An evil man is snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing and be glad.
7 The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge.
8 Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.
9 If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.
10 The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright.
11 A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.
12 If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: Yahweh gives sight to the eyes of both.
14 The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever.
15 The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Correct your son, and he will give you peace; yes, he will bring delight to your soul.
18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the law is blessed.
19 A servant can’t be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet he will not respond.
20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end.
22 An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
23 A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor.
24 Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify.
25 The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe.
26 Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man’s justice comes from Yahweh.
27 A dishonest man detests the righteous, and the upright in their ways detest the wicked.
The Flourishing of the Righteous
1 A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof
will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.
2 When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king brings stability to the land,
but a man who exacts tribute a demolishes it.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet.
6 An evil man is caught by his own sin,
but a righteous one sings and rejoices.
7 The righteous consider the cause of the poor,
but the wicked have no regard for such concerns.
8 Mockers inflame a city,
but the wise turn away anger.
9 If a wise man goes to court with a fool,
there will be raving and laughing with no resolution.
10 Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man,
but the upright care for his life. b
11 A fool vents all his anger,
but a wise man holds it back.
12 If a ruler listens to lies,
all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
14 A king who judges the poor with fairness—
his throne will be established forever.
15 A rod of correction imparts wisdom,
but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
16 When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases;
but the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
he will bring delight to your soul.
18 Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint;
but blessed is he who keeps the Law.
19 A servant cannot be corrected by words alone;
though he understands, he will not respond.
20 Do you see a man who speaks in haste?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 A servant pampered from his youth
will bring grief in the end.
22 An angry man stirs up dissension,
and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
23 A man’s pride will bring him low,
but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
24 A partner to a thief hates his own soul;
he receives the oath, but does not testify.
25 The fear of man is a snare,
but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.
26 Many seek the ruler’s favor,
but a man receives justice from the LORD.
27 An unjust man is detestable to the righteous,
and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.
Footnotes:
4 a Or who taxes heavily or who takes bribes
10 b Or but the upright seek his soul
The Stiff-Necked will Be Destroyed
1A man often reproved, hardening the neck, Is suddenly broken, and there is no healing.
2In the multiplying of the righteous the people rejoice, And in the ruling of the wicked the people sigh.
3A man loving wisdom rejoiceth his father, And a friend of harlots destroyeth wealth.
4A king by judgment establisheth a land, And one receiving gifts throweth it down.
5A man taking a portion above his neighbour, Spreadeth a net for his own steps.
6In the transgression of the evil is a snare, And the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7The righteous knoweth the plea of the poor, The wicked understandeth not knowledge.
8Men of scorning ensnare a city, And the wise turn back anger.
9A wise man is judged by the foolish man, And he hath been angry, And he hath laughed, and there is no rest.
10Men of blood hate the perfect, And the upright seek his soul.
11A fool bringeth out all his mind, And the wise till afterwards restraineth it.
12A ruler who is attending to lying words, All his ministers are wicked.
13The poor and the man of frauds have met together, Jehovah is enlightening the eyes of them both.
14a king that is judging truly the poor, His throne for ever is established.
15A rod and reproof give wisdom, And a youth let away is shaming his mother.
16In the multiplying of the wicked transgression multiplieth, And the righteous on their fall do look.
17Chastise thy son, and he giveth thee comfort, Yea, he giveth delights to thy soul.
18Without a Vision is a people made naked, And whoso is keeping the law, O his happiness!
19By words a servant is not instructed though he understand, And there is nothing answering.
20Thou hast seen a man hasty in his words! More hope of a fool than of him.
21Whoso is bringing up his servant delicately, from youth, At his latter end also he is continuator.
22An angry man stirreth up contention, And a furious man is multiplying transgression.
23The pride of man humbleth him, And humility of spirit upholdeth honour.
24Whoso is sharing with a thief is hating his own soul, Execration he heareth, and telleth not.
25Fear of man causeth a snare, And the confident in Jehovah is set on high.
26Many are seeking the face of a ruler, And from Jehovah is the judgment of each.
27An abomination to the righteous is the perverse man, And an abomination to the wicked is the upright in the way!
Wisdom in Leadership and Life
¹ The one who stubbornly rejects correction after repeated warnings will suddenly face disaster* — beyond the point of no return. ² When those who honor God's ways are in charge, the whole community flourishes with joy, but when the wicked seize power, you can hear the people's groans of despair*.
³ A person who cherishes wisdom brings deep satisfaction to their parents*, but someone who wastes their life on shallow pleasures and destructive relationships squanders everything of value. ⁴ Through just leadership and moral clarity, a leader establishes a stable society, but one who demands bribes and serves their own interests tears it apart*.
⁵ Watch out for those who shower you with empty flattery — they're laying a trap for your downfall. ⁶ Evil people are ensnared by their own corruption, while those who live with integrity dance through life with joyful freedom*.
Justice and Society
⁷ Those who follow God's heart understand and fight for the rights of the poor*, but the wicked can't even comprehend what this means. ⁸ Cynical mockers can set a whole city ablaze with conflict, but the wise know how to calm heated tensions and restore peace*.
⁹ When a wise person confronts a fool in the public square, the fool only responds with ridicule and rage — there's no room for reasonable discussion. ¹⁰ Those who thirst for violence hate people of integrity*, while the upright actively seek to protect and preserve life.
Wisdom in Self-Control
¹¹ A fool lets their emotions explode without restraint, but the wise know how to process and channel their feelings productively*. ¹² When a leader listens to lies and conspiracy theories, watch out — soon their entire administration will be corrupted.
¹³ The poor person and the oppressor have this in common: יהוה (Yahweh) gave both of them life and sees their actions with perfect clarity*. ¹⁴ When a king or leader judges the poor with fairness, their leadership will be established for generations.
Wisdom in Parenting
¹⁵ Loving discipline and correction produce wisdom in children, but a child left to their own devices brings shame to their mother*. ¹⁶ When evil people gain power, wrongdoing multiplies throughout society — but take heart, for the righteous will outlast them and witness their downfall.
¹⁷ Discipline your children properly, and they'll give you peace of mind and bring delight to your soul*. ¹⁸ Without divine revelation and guidance, people lose their way and self-destruct, but those who follow God's instructions find true happiness*.
Wisdom in Daily Life
¹⁹ Mere words won't correct a stubborn servant — even when they understand, they won't respond without consequences. ²⁰ There's more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking*.
²¹ If you spoil your servants from youth, eventually they'll expect to be treated as children of the household*. ²² A hot-tempered person ignites conflicts everywhere they go, and someone prone to anger commits all kinds of sins.
²³ Arrogance leads to humiliation, but a humble spirit opens the door to genuine honor*. ²⁴ Partner with a thief, and you become your own worst enemy — even under oath, you'll be afraid to tell the truth.
²⁵ Fear of other people's opinions is a dangerous trap, but trusting in Yahweh provides a fortress of safety*. ²⁶ Many seek favor from rulers, but true justice comes from Yahweh alone*. ²⁷ The upright are disgusted by the ways of the wicked, while the wicked are repulsed by those who walk the straight path*.
Footnotes:
*29:1 - The Hebrew suggests a sudden, catastrophic breaking beyond repair, emphasizing the finality of judgment after repeated rejection of wisdom.
*29:2 - This verse reflects the profound impact of leadership on society, connecting to similar themes in Psalm 72.
*29:3 - The contrast between wisdom and prostitutes (in the original Hebrew) represents the choice between lasting value and temporary pleasure.
*29:4 - The Hebrew word for "justice" (mishpat) encompasses both legal fairness and social righteousness.
*29:6 - The imagery of dancing versus being ensnared shows the freedom that comes from righteousness.
*29:7 - This understanding of the poor's rights reflects God's own heart throughout Scripture (e.g., Psalm 140:12).
*29:8 - The word for "set ablaze" suggests how destructive words can inflame entire communities.
*29:10 - "Seek the soul" in Hebrew can mean either to seek someone's life for harm or to seek their welfare.
*29:11 - The Hebrew word for "spirit" (ruach) suggests that self-control is a spiritual discipline.
*29:13 - This verse emphasizes both human equality before God and divine sovereignty.
*29:15 - The Hebrew words suggest that discipline should be motivated by love, not anger.
*29:23 - The Hebrew word for "humble" suggests a realistic self-assessment before God.
*29:25 - The word for "trap" (moqesh) was used for bird snares, suggesting how fear paralyzes us.
*29:26 - This verse contrasts human authority with divine justice, emphasizing ultimate accountability to God.
*29:27 - The mutual revulsion described here reflects the fundamental spiritual conflict between good and evil.
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