Proverbs 29

1 A man [individual, person] who remains stiff-necked [hardening his neck, stubborn] after much reproof [correction, warning] will suddenly [in an instant, without warning] be shattered [broken, crushed] beyond recovery [without healing, remedy, cure]. word study 2 When the righteous [just, morally upright] flourish [are increased, thrive], the people [a nation, community] rejoice [are glad, celebrate], but when the wicked [morally wrong, guilty] rule [have power, bear authority], the people [a nation, community] groan [sigh, mourn in grief]. word study 3 A man [lover of wisdom, eager to learn] who loves [has affection for, cherishes] wisdom [skill, prudence, or good judgment] brings [causes to be, results in] joy [rejoicing, gladness] to his father [parent, ancestor], but a companion [friend, associate] of prostitutes [those who fornicate, are unfaithful] squanders [wastes, destroys] his wealth [substance, valuable possessions]. word study 4 By [righteous, fair] justice [judgment] a king [ruler, monarch] brings [establishes, makes stable] stability [peace, security] to the land [country, territory], but a man [individual, person] who exacts [receives, takes] tribute [gifts, bribes] demolishes [overthrows, destroys] it. word study 5 A [great] man who flatters [smoothly deceives, says nice things to] his neighbor [friend, companion] spreads [stretches out, lays] a net [trap, snare] for his feet [steps, path]. word study 6 An evil [bad, wicked] man [individual, person] is caught [snared, trapped] by his own sin [transgression, rebellion], but a righteous [just, upright] one sings [shouts for joy, overcomes] and rejoices [is glad, celebrates]. word study 7 The righteous [just, upright, having God’s nature] consider [take knowledge of, understand] the cause [judgment, plea, legal suit] of the poor [weak, needy, destitute], but the wicked [morally wrong, guilty, sinful] have no regard [do not pay attention, are not concerned] for such concerns [knowledge, understanding, justice]. word study 8 Mockers [scornful men, scoffers] inflame [set in a flame, stir up] a city [town, urban community], but the wise [wise men, prudent leaders] turn away [return, calm down] anger [wrath, strong emotion]. word study 9 If a wise [intelligent, discerning] man goes to court [to judge, to contend] with a fool [foolish, despising wisdom], there will be raving [trembling with anger, raging] and laughing [in contempt, scoffing] with no [absent, lacking] resolution [peace, quietness]. word study 10 Men [of violence, murderers] of bloodshed [those who shed innocent blood] hate [intensely dislike, despise] a blameless [perfect, complete] man, but the upright [just, righteous] care for [seek, protect] his life [soul, living being]. word study 11 A [stupid, foolish] fool [rejecting God’s wisdom] vents [utterly expresses, brings out] all [everything, completely] his anger [wrath, intense emotion], but a wise [skilled, prudent] man [having discernment, intelligent] holds [keeps, restraineth] it [his emotions, spirit] back [in control, quietly]. word study 12 If a ruler [in authority, leader] listens [attending to, heeds] to lies [deception, falsehood], all [everything, every single one] his officials [servants, ministers] will be [become, prove to be] wicked [morally wrong, guilty of sin]. word study 13 The [economically needy, destitute] poor man and the [cruel, deceitful] oppressor have this in common: The [sovereign] LORD [Yehovah, the divine Savior] gives [spiritual and physical] light to the eyes [the sources of understanding and perception] of both [equally, without distinction]. word study 14 A king [ruler, monarch] who judges [to govern, vindicate] the poor [weak, needy, destitute] with fairness [truth, justice, equity]— his throne [seat of power, authority] will be established [set up, secured] forever [for all eternity, perpetually]. word study 15 A rod [a rod or staff, a sceptre] of correction [rebuke, reproof] imparts [gives, grants] wisdom [skill, prudence, good judgment], but a child [youth, young person] left [sent away, departed] to himself [without guidance, unrestrained] disgraces [brings shame, causes embarrassment] his mother [female parent, maternal figure]. word study 16 When the wicked [morally wrong, guilty of sin] thrive [are multiplied, increased], rebellion [transgression, sin] increases; but the righteous [just, made right with God] will see [look upon, gaze at] their downfall [ruin, carcass, aftermath of disaster]. word study 17 Discipline [correct, chastise, or train] your son [child, descendant], and he will give [bring, provide] you rest [peace, comfort]; he will bring [give, provide] delight [pleasure, joy] to your soul [inner being, spirit, the essence of a person]. word study 18 Where there is no [absence of, lacking] vision [revelation from God, prophetic insight], the people [a nation, community] cast off [reject, abandon] restraint [self-control, moral boundaries]; but blessed [happy, joyful] is he who keeps [obey, guard] the Law [instruction, divine guidance]. word study 19 A [bond] servant [or slave, one who serves] cannot be corrected [disciplined, chastised] by words alone [mere verbal instruction]; though he [fully] understands [comprehends, discerns], he will not [refuse to, fail to] respond [answer, give heed]. word study 20 Do you see [perceive, have a vision of] a man [a male person, individual] who speaks [talks without thinking, is hasty in his words] in haste [urgently, without patience]? There is more hope [expectancy, a cord of attachment] for a fool [someone stupid, silly, and rejecting God] than for him [this person who speaks hastily]. word study 21 A servant [delicately brought up, indulged] pampered [given special treatment, indulged] from his youth [early years, childhood] will bring [become a cause of, result in] grief [sorrow, pain] in the end [at the last, in the future]. word study 22 An [furious, wrathful] angry man [a male person or individual] stirs up [to stir up, provoke, or cause] dissension [strife, contention, or quarrels], and a hot-tempered [furious, wrathful, or having intense anger] man [characterized by rage, or intense anger] abounds [is abundant, or has many] in transgression [rebellion, or revolt against God, resulting in guilt and punishment]. word study 23 A man’s [the first human, Adam] pride [arrogance, haughtiness] will bring him low [to a state of humility, abasement], but a humble [lowly, gentle] spirit [the breath of life, mind and emotions] will obtain [grasp, take hold of] honor [glory, great respect]. word study 24 A partner [associate, accomplice] to a thief [one who steals, a robber] hates [has intense dislike, despises] his own soul [living being, essence]; he receives [hears, is put under] the oath [promise, vow] [with serious consequences], but does not [refuses to] testify [tell the truth, declare]. word study 25 The fear [trembling, anxiety] of man [humanity, people] is a snare [trap, danger], but whoever trusts [puts faith, has confidence] in the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God] is set [exalted, lifted up] securely on high [in a safe place, above all else]. word study 26 Many [numerous, a large multitude] seek [to search for, desire] the ruler’s [leader’s, one in authority] favor [approval, face], but a man [individual, person] receives [is given, obtains] justice [righteous judgment] from the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God]. word study 27 An unjust [morally wrong, wicked] man is detestable [an abomination, disgusting] to the righteous [those made right with God, just], and one whose way [path, manner of life] is upright [straight, just] is detestable [an abomination, hated] to the wicked [those guilty of sin, morally wrong]. word study