Proverbs 29

29 ¹ Whoever is often corrected yet refuses to listen will suddenly be broken beyond healing. 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 gives a land stability, but one who is greedy for 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 own sin, but the righteous sing and rejoice. ⁷ The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such understanding. ⁸ Mockers set a city ablaze, but the wise calm the anger. ⁹ When a wise man goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace. ¹⁰ The bloodthirsty hate the blameless and seek to kill the upright. ¹¹ A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back and keeps himself calm. ¹² If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked. ¹³ The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: our Father gives sight to the eyes of both. ¹⁴ If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever. ¹⁵ The rod and a word of correction give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. ¹⁶ When the wicked flourish, wrongdoing flourishes, but the righteous will see their downfall. ¹⁷ Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your heart. ¹⁸ Where there is no revelation, the people run wild, but blessed is the one who keeps the law. ¹⁹ A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not obey. ²⁰ Do you see a man who is hasty with his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. ²¹ Pamper a servant from childhood, and in the end he will become like an heir. ²² An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot-tempered man commits many sins. ²³ A man's pride brings him low, but a humble spirit gains honor. ²⁴ An accomplice of a thief is his own enemy; he hears the curse but says nothing. ^a a v24 The 'curse' is a public oath requiring anyone who witnessed the crime to come forward and testify. ²⁵ Fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in our Father is kept safe. ²⁶ Many seek a ruler's favor, but justice for a person comes from our Father. ²⁷ An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and an upright person is detestable to the wicked.