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29 Whoever is stubborn after being corrected many times
    will suddenly be hurt beyond cure.

When good people do well, everyone is happy,
    but when evil people rule, everyone groans.

Those who love wisdom make their parents happy,
    but friends of prostitutes waste their money.

If a king is fair, he makes his country strong,
    but if he takes gifts dishonestly, he tears his country down.

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.

10 Murderers hate an honest person
    and try to kill those who do right.

11 Foolish people lose their tempers,
    but wise people control theirs.

12 If a ruler pays attention to lies,
    all his officers will become wicked.

13 The poor person and the cruel person are alike
    in that the Lord gave eyes to both of them.

14 If a king judges poor people fairly,
    his government will continue forever.

15 Correction and punishment make children wise,
    but those left alone will disgrace their mother.

16 When there are many wicked people, there is much sin,
    but those who do right will see them destroyed.

17 Correct your children, and you will be proud;
    they will give you satisfaction.

18 Where there is no word from God, people are uncontrolled,
    but those who obey what they have been taught are happy.

19 Words alone cannot correct a servant,
    because even if they understand, they won’t respond.

20 Do you see people who speak too quickly?
    There is more hope for a foolish person than for them.

21 If you spoil your servants when they are young,
    they will bring you grief later on.

22 An angry person causes trouble;
    a person with a quick temper sins a lot.

23 Pride will ruin people,
    but those who are humble will be honored.

24 Partners of thieves are their own worst enemies.
    If they have to testify in court, they are afraid to say anything.

25 Being afraid of people can get you into trouble,
    but if you trust the Lord, you will be safe.

26 Many people want to speak to a ruler,
    but justice comes only from the Lord.

27 Good people hate those who are dishonest,
    and the wicked hate those who are honest.

29 Whoever remains stiff-necked(A) after many rebukes
    will suddenly be destroyed(B)—without remedy.(C)

When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;(D)
    when the wicked rule,(E) the people groan.(F)

A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,(G)
    but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.(H)

By justice a king gives a country stability,(I)
    but those who are greedy for[a] bribes tear it down.

Those who flatter their neighbors
    are spreading nets for their feet.(J)

Evildoers are snared by their own sin,(K)
    but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

The righteous care about justice for the poor,(L)
    but the wicked have no such concern.

Mockers stir up a city,
    but the wise turn away anger.(M)

If a wise person goes to court with a fool,
    the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.

10 The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity
    and seek to kill the upright.(N)

11 Fools give full vent to their rage,(O)
    but the wise bring calm in the end.(P)

12 If a ruler(Q) listens to lies,
    all his officials become wicked.(R)

13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common:
    The Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.(S)

14 If a king judges the poor with fairness,
    his throne will be established forever.(T)

15 A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,
    but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.(U)

16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin,
    but the righteous will see their downfall.(V)

17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;
    they will bring you the delights you desire.(W)

18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
    but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.(X)

19 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words;
    though they understand, they will not respond.

20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
    There is more hope for a fool than for them.(Y)

21 A servant pampered from youth
    will turn out to be insolent.

22 An angry person stirs up conflict,
    and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.(Z)

23 Pride brings a person low,(AA)
    but the lowly in spirit gain honor.(AB)

24 The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies;
    they are put under oath and dare not testify.(AC)

25 Fear(AD) of man will prove to be a snare,
    but whoever trusts in the Lord(AE) is kept safe.(AF)

26 Many seek an audience with a ruler,(AG)
    but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.(AH)

27 The righteous detest the dishonest;
    the wicked detest the upright.(AI)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:4 Or who give