Proverbs 29

1Whoever is warned again and again yet stays stubborn will be broken in a moment, past all remedy. 2When the righteous grow in number, the people are glad; when the wicked rule, the people groan. 3A man who loves wisdom gives his father joy, but one who spends his time with prostitutes squanders his wealth. 4By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for levies brings it to ruin. 5Whoever flatters a neighbor is laying a net for that neighbor’s feet. 6An evil person is caught by his own wrongdoing, but the righteous sing and rejoice. 7The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. 8Mockers set a city in an uproar, but the wise calm its anger. 9When a wise person takes a fool to court, the fool rages or laughs, and there is no peace. 10Bloodthirsty people hate those who are blameless, but the upright care for their lives. 11Fools vent all their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. 12If a ruler pays attention to lies, all his officials will become wicked. 13The poor and those who oppress them meet on common ground: the LORD gives both of them the light of their eyes. 14When a king judges the poor fairly, his throne will stand secure for all time. 15Discipline and correction give wisdom, but a child left to do as he pleases disgraces his mother. 16When the wicked multiply, so does sin, but the righteous will see them fall. 17Discipline your son, and he will give you peace of mind; he will bring delight to your heart.

18Where there is no prophetic revelation, a people throws off all restraint; but how blessed are those who keep God’s instruction! 19A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; even if he understands, he will not respond. 20Do you see someone who speaks without thinking? A fool has more hope than that person. 21Pamper a servant from childhood, and in the end you will have trouble. 22An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. 23Pride brings a person down, but the humble in spirit gain honor. 24Whoever is a thief’s partner is their own enemy; they hear the curse put on witnesses and say nothing. 25Fear of what people may do is a trap, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. 26Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the LORD that people receive justice. 27The righteous detest the unjust, and the wicked detest those whose way is straight.