Mishlĕ (Proverbs) 29

¹One often reproved, hardening his neck, Is suddenly broken, and there is no healing.

²When the righteous increase, the people rejoice; But when a wrong one rules, the people sigh.

³He who loves wisdom gladdens his father, But a companion of whores destroys wealth.

⁴A sovereign establishes a land by right-ruling, But one who receives bribes throws it down.

⁵A man who flatters his neighbour Spreads a net for his own feet.

⁶An evil man is ensnared by transgression, But the righteous sings and rejoices.

⁷The righteous knows the plea of the poor, The wrong does not understand such knowledge.

⁸Scoffers ensnare a city, But the wise turn away wrath.

⁹When a wise man disputes with a foolish man, Whether he rages or laughs, there is no peace.

¹⁰Bloodthirsty men hate the perfect, And seek the life of the straight.

¹¹A fool lets out all his breath, But the wise keeping it back calms it down.

¹²If a ruler listens to lying words, All his servants become wrong.

¹³The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: יהוה gives light to the eyes of both.

¹⁴The sovereign who rightly rules the poor with truth, His throne is established forever.

¹⁵A rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child unrestrained brings shame to his mother.

¹⁶When the wrong become many, transgression increases; But the righteous look on their fall.

¹⁷Discipline your son, And he brings you rest and delight to your life.

¹⁸Where there is no vision, the people are let loose, But blessed is he who guards the Torah.

¹⁹A servant is not disciplined by words; Though he understands, he does not respond.

²⁰Have you seen a man hasty in his words? There is more expectancy for a fool than for him.

²¹He who deals tenderly With his servant from youth, Has him as a son in the end.

²²A man of displeasure stirs up strife, And a master of rage has many a transgression.

²³The pride of man brings him low, But the humble in spirit obtains esteem.

²⁴He who shares with a thief hates his own life; He hears an oath, but does not report.

²⁵The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in יהוה is set on high.

²⁶Many seek the face of a ruler, But right-ruling for man comes from יהוה.

²⁷An unrighteous man Is an abomination to the righteous, And he who is straight in the way Is an abomination to the wrong.