Proverbs of Solomon 29 — The Holy Bible

The Wise and the Unwise

A reproving man is better than an obstinate man,

For when the latter is suddenly consumed, there shall be no remedy.

When the righteous are praised, the people shall rejoice,

But when the ungodly rule, men lament.

When a man loves wisdom, his father rejoices,

But he who keeps prostitutes shall destroy his wealth.

A righteous king will establish a country,

But a lawless man razes it to the ground.

He who prepares a net for the presence of his own friend

Casts it around his own feet.

It is a great snare to a man when he sins,

But a righteous man shall be in joy and gladness.

A righteous man understands how to judge on behalf of the poor,

But the ungodly man will not consider such knowledge;

For he has no understanding heart for a poor man.

Pestilent men burn down a city,

But wise men turn away wrath.

A wise man judges people fairly,

But when a worthless man is angry, he laughs at them, and does not fear.

Bloodthirsty men will hate a holy man,

But the upright will seek his soul.

A man without discernment brings forth his whole mind,

But a wise man distributes his in part.

When a king obeys an unrighteous word,

All those under him are lawless.

When a creditor and a debtor meet with one another,

The Lord watches both of them.

When a king judges the poor truly,

His throne shall be established as a testimony.

Blows and reproofs give wisdom,

But a child who goes astray shames his parents.

When the ungodly are many, there are many sins,

But when they fall, the righteous are fearful.

Instruct your son, and he shall give you rest,

And he will delight your soul.

There shall be no interpreter of the law for a lawless nation,

But he who guards the law is very blessed.

A stubborn servant will not be instructed by words,

For even if he understands them, he will not obey.

If you see a man hasty in words,

Know a man without discernment has more hope than he.

He who lives luxuriously from childhood shall be a servant,

And in the end, he shall cause himself pain.

An angry man digs up strife,

But a furious man digs up sins.

Arrogance humbles a man,

But the Lord supports the humble-minded with glory.

He who takes part with a thief hates his own soul,

And if, when an oath is set forth, those who hear it do not report it,

They are tripped up, because they fear and stand in awe of men;

But he who trusts in the Lord will rejoice.

Ungodliness causes a man to stumble,

But he who trusts in the Master shall be saved.

Many serve in the presence of leaders,

But righteousness comes to a man from the Lord.

An abomination to the righteous is an unrighteous man,

And the upright way is an abomination to the lawless.