Proverbs — Chapter 29
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1A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.
2When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it.
5A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
6An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one sings and rejoices.
7The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns.
8Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger.
9If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution.
10Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.
11A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.
12If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.
13The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
14A king who judges the poor with fairness—his throne will be established forever.
15A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
16When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
17Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul.
18Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law.
19A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond.
20Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21A servant pampered from his youth will bring grief in the end.
22An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
23A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
24A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath but does not testify.
25The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.
26Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.
27An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.
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.
1He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh.
3Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth [his] substance.
4The king by justice establisheth the land; But he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it.
5A man that flattereth his neighbor Spreadeth a net for his steps.
6In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare; But the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor; The wicked hath not understanding to know [it].
8Scoffers set a city in a flame; But wise men turn away wrath.
9If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man, Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest.
10The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect; And as for the upright, they seek his life.
11A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it.
12If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, All his servants are wicked.
13The poor man and the oppressor meet together; Jehovah lighteneth the eyes of them both.
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 causeth shame to his mother.
16When the wicked are increased, transgression increaseth; But the righteous shall look upon their fall.
17Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest; Yea, he will give delight unto thy soul.
18Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
19A servant will not be corrected by words; For though he understand, he will not give heed.
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 a son at the last.
22An angry man stirreth up strife, And a wrathful man aboundeth in transgression.
23A man`s pride shall bring him low; But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor.
24Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul; He heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing.
25The fear of man bringeth a snare; But whoso putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be safe.
26Many seek the ruler`s favor; But a man`s judgment [cometh] from Jehovah.
27An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous; And he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.
1The one who stiffens his neck after numerous rebukes will suddenly be destroyed without remedy.
2When the righteous become numerous, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but whoever associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth.
4A king brings stability to a land by justice, but one who exacts tribute tears it down.
5The one who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his steps.
6In the transgression of an evil person there is a snare, but a righteous person can sing and rejoice.
7The righteous person cares for the legal rights of the poor; the wicked person does not understand such knowledge.
8Scornful people inflame a city, but those who are wise turn away wrath.
9When a wise person goes to court with a foolish person, there is no peace whether he is angry or laughs.
10Bloodthirsty people hate someone with integrity; as for the upright, they seek his life.
11A fool lets fly with all his temper, but a wise person keeps it back.
12If a ruler listens to lies, all his ministers will be wicked.
13The poor person and the oppressor have this in common: The Lord gives light to the eyes of them both.
14If a king judges the poor in truth, his throne will be established forever.
15A rod and reproof impart wisdom, but a child who is unrestrained brings shame to his mother.
16When the wicked increase, transgression increases, but the righteous will see their downfall.
17Discipline your child, and he will give you rest; he will bring you happiness.
18When there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but the one who keeps the law, blessed is he!
19A servant cannot be corrected by words, for although he understands, there is no answer.
20You have seen someone who is hasty in his words— there is more hope for a fool than for him.
21If someone pampers his servant from youth, he will be a weakling in the end.
22An angry person stirs up dissension, and a wrathful person is abounding in transgression.
23A person’s pride will bring him low, but one who has a lowly spirit will gain honor.
24Whoever shares with a thief is his own enemy; he hears the oath to testify, but does not talk.
25The fear of people becomes a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be set on high.
26Many people seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one receives justice.
27An unjust person is an abomination to the righteous, and the one who lives an upright life is an abomination to the wicked.
1He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.
2When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down.
5A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
6An evil man is snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing and be glad.
7The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge.
8Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.
9If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.
10The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright.
11A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.
12If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked.
13The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: Yahweh gives sight to the eyes of both.
14The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever.
15The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.
16When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
17Correct your son, and he will give you peace; yes, he will bring delight to your soul.
18Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the law is blessed.
19A servant can’t be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet he will not respond.
20Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end.
22An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
23A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor.
24Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify.
25The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe.
26Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man’s justice comes from Yahweh.
27A dishonest man detests the righteous, and the upright in their ways detest the wicked.
Summary
This chapter continues contrasting the righteous and the wicked, with special attention to leadership and discipline. Those who repeatedly resist correction face sudden, irreversible ruin (v. 1), and a nation's mood rises or falls with the character of its rulers (v. 2). Bribery undermines justice while fair judgment establishes a land (v. 4), and a king who judges the poor faithfully secures a lasting throne (v. 14). Wise people turn away wrath while scorners stir up an entire city (v. 8), and a fool blurts out everything he thinks while a wise person holds back (v. 11). The chapter urges disciplined child-rearing, warning that an undisciplined child brings shame while correction brings peace (vv. 15, 17), and states that people without vision or guidance perish, while those who keep God's law are blessed (v. 18). It closes contrasting pride, which brings a person low, with humility, which is honored (v. 23), and warns that fearing people is a trap while trusting the LORD brings safety (v. 25).
Authorship & Background
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik notes that v.1 is one of the most sobering verses in Proverbs: the accumulation of rejected reproofs does not lead to gradual decline but to SUDDEN collapse. The stiff-necked man feels secure right up until the moment of destruction — his very hardness prevents him from sensing how close the end is. On v.18, Guzik corrects the common misinterpretation: "This is not about having a vision statement or personal dreams. The vision here is God's prophetic word — divine revelation. Without the word of God actively taught and obeyed, a people have no moral center and will cast off all restraint." On v.25, he emphasizes that the fear of man is not merely shyness but a fundamental orientation of the heart — living for human approval rather than God's.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871): blueletterbible.org A critical and explanatory commentary on the whole Bible, more concise than Matthew Henry and closer to the Hebrew and Greek, with attention to historical and geographical detail. Public domain.
- Matthew Henry's Exposition (1710): blueletterbible.org A devotional verse-by-verse commentary in the Puritan tradition, still among the most widely read three centuries on. Public domain.
Videos
Articles
- GotQuestions.org: gotquestions.org On the whole book: an overview of the book of Proverbs -- who wrote it, when, why, and how it fits the rest of Scripture.
Links open on the publisher's own site. Nothing here is reproduced on this page.
Reflection
- Repeated Rejection of Correction Has a Limit (v.1) — Someone who keeps hardening themselves against correction will eventually be broken beyond repair. What warning or conviction have you been putting off responding to?
- Righteous Leadership Brings Joy (v.2) — When the righteous are in authority, people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, people groan. How is your influence — at home, work, or elsewhere — affecting those under your care?
- Restraint Distinguishes Wisdom From Folly (v.11) — A fool releases all his feelings at once, while the wise hold themselves back. Before you speak in frustration, are you pausing to consider whether it needs to be said?
- Without Vision, People Cast Off Restraint (v.18) — A lack of prophetic guidance leaves people unrestrained, while keeping God's law brings blessing. How consistently are you in Scripture, and how is that showing in the direction of your life?
- The Fear of Man Is a Trap (v.25) — Fearing what others think ensnares a person, while trusting the LORD keeps them safe. Whose opinion holds too much power over your decisions right now?