291 Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed-without remedy.
2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; 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 country stability, but those who are greedy for[1] bribes tear it down.
5 Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet.
6 Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.
7 The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.
8 Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger.
9 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.
11 Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.
12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.
13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common: The Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.
14 If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever.
15 A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.
16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.
18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction.
291 He,
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he
5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
8 Scornful men bring
9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10 The bloodthirsty
11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
13 The poor and the deceitful
14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish:
291 He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts
5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
6 An evil man is ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
7 A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
8 Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright.
11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
12 If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together; the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,
291 For people who hate discipline and only get more stubborn, There'll come a day when life tumbles in and they break, but by then it'll be too late to help them.
2 When good people run things, everyone is glad, but when the ruler is bad, everyone groans.
3 If you love wisdom, you'll delight your parents, but you'll destroy their trust if you run with whores.
4 A leader of good judgment gives stability; an exploiting leader leaves a trail of waste.
5 A flattering neighbor is up to no good; he's probably planning to take advantage of you.
6 Evil people fall into their own traps; good people run the other way, glad to escape.
7 The good-hearted understand what it's like to be poor; the hardhearted haven't the faintest idea.
8 A gang of cynics can upset a whole city; a group of sages can calm everyone down.
9 A sage trying to work things out with a fool gets only scorn and sarcasm for his trouble.
10 Murderers hate honest people; moral folks encourage them.
11 A fool lets it all hang out; a sage quietly mulls it over.
12 When a leader listens to malicious gossip, all the workers get infected with evil.
13 The poor and their abusers have at least something in common: they can both see - their sight, God's gift!
14 Leadership gains authority and respect when the voiceless poor are treated fairly.
15 Wise discipline imparts wisdom; spoiled adolescents embarrass their parents.
16 When degenerates take charge, crime runs wild, but the righteous will eventually observe their collapse.
17 Discipline your children; you'll be glad you did - they'll turn out delightful to live with.
18 If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.
291 He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.
3 Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.
4 The king establishes the land by justice, But he who receives bribes overthrows it.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor Spreads a net for his feet.
6 By transgression an evil man is snared, But the righteous sings and rejoices.
7 The righteous considers the cause of the poor, But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.
8 Scoffers set a city aflame, But wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man contends with a foolish man, Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the blameless, But the upright seek his well-being.
11 A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.
12 If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 The king who judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall.
17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul.
18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.
291 Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.
2 When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.
3 The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted.
4 A just king gives stability to his nation, but one who demands bribes destroys it.
5 To flatter friends is to lay a trap for their feet.
6 Evil people are trapped by sin, but the righteous escape, shouting for joy.
7 The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don't care at all.
8 Mockers can get a whole town agitated, but the wise will calm anger.
9 If a wise person takes a fool to court, there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction.
10 The bloodthirsty hate blameless people, but the upright seek to help them.
11 Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.
12 If a ruler pays attention to liars, all his advisers will be wicked.
13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common- the Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.
14 If a king judges the poor fairly, his throne will last forever.
15 To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.
16 When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes, but the godly will live to see their downfall.
17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad.
18 When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 29:1-18
Commentary on Proverbs 29:1
(Read Proverbs 29:1)
If God wounds, who can heal? The word of God warns all to flee from the wrath to come, to the hope set before us in Jesus Christ.
Commentary on Proverbs 29:2
(Read Proverbs 29:2)
The people have cause to rejoice or mourn, as their rulers are righteous or wicked.
Commentary on Proverbs 29:3
(Read Proverbs 29:3)
Divine wisdom best keeps us from ruinous lusts.
Commentary on Proverbs 29:4
(Read Proverbs 29:4)
The Lord Jesus is the King who will minister true judgment to the people.
Commentary on Proverbs 29:5
(Read Proverbs 29:5)
Flatterers put men off their guard, which betrays them into foolish conduct.
Commentary on Proverbs 29:6
(Read Proverbs 29:6)
Transgressions always end in vexations. Righteous men walk at liberty, and walk in safety.
Commentary on Proverbs 29:7
(Read Proverbs 29:7)
This verse is applicable to compassion for the distress of the poor, and the unfeeling disregard shown by the wicked.
Commentary on Proverbs 29:8
(Read Proverbs 29:8)
The scornful mock at things sacred and serious. Men who promote religion, which is true wisdom, turn away the wrath of God.
Commentary on Proverbs 29:9
(Read Proverbs 29:9)
If a wise man dispute with a conceited wrangler, he will be treated with anger or ridicule; and no good is done.
Commentary on Proverbs 29:10
(Read Proverbs 29:10)
Christ told his disciples that they should be hated of all men. The just, whom the blood-thirsty hate, gladly do any thing for their salvation.
Commentary on Proverbs 29:11
(Read Proverbs 29:11)
He is a fool who tells every thing he knows, and can keep no counsel.
Commentary on Proverbs 29:12
(Read Proverbs 29:12)
One who loves flatterers, and hearkens to slanderers, causes his servants to become liars and false accusers.
Commentary on Proverbs 29:13
(Read Proverbs 29:13)
Some are poor, others have a great deal of deceitful riches. They meet in the business of this world; the Lord gives to both the comforts of this life. To some of both sorts he gives his grace.
Commentary on Proverbs 29:14
(Read Proverbs 29:14)
The rich will look to themselves, but the poor and needy the prince must defend and plead for.
Commentary on Proverbs 29:15
(Read Proverbs 29:15)
Parents must consider the benefit of due correction, and the mischief of undue indulgence.
Commentary on Proverbs 29:16
(Read Proverbs 29:16)
Let not the righteous have their faith and hope shocked by the increase of sin and sinners, but let them wait with patience.
Commentary on Proverbs 29:17
(Read Proverbs 29:17)
Children must not be suffered to go without rebuke when they do amiss.
Commentary on Proverbs 29:18
(Read Proverbs 29:18)
How bare does a place look without Bibles and ministers! and what an easy prey is it to the enemy of souls! That gospel is an open vision, which holds forth Christ, which humbles the sinner and exalts the Saviour, which promotes holiness in the life and conversation: and these are precious truths to keep the soul alive, and prevent it from perishing.