Where There Is No Revelation
About rulers, tempers and children. When the righteous flourish the people are glad, and when the wicked rule they groan. A fool vents all his anger, and a hasty talker is worse than a fool. Where there is no revelation, people run wild.
29 1Whoever is often corrected yet refuses to listen will suddenly be broken beyond healing. 2When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. 3A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. 4By justice a king gives a land stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down. 5A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. 6An evil man is snared by his own sin, but the righteous sing and rejoice. 7The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such understanding. 8Mockers set a city ablaze, but the wise calm the anger. 9When a wise man goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace. 10The bloodthirsty hate the blameless and seek to kill the upright. 11A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back and keeps himself calm. 12If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked. 13The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: our Father gives sight to the eyes of both. 14If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever. 15The rod and a word of correction give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. 16When the wicked flourish, wrongdoing flourishes, but the righteous will see the wicked's downfall. 17Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your heart. 18Where there is no revelation, the people run wild, but blessed is the one who keeps the law. 19A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not obey. 20Do you see a man who is hasty with his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 21Pamper a servant from childhood, and in the end he will become like an heir. 22An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot-tempered man commits many sins. 23A man's pride brings him low, but a humble spirit gains honor. 24An accomplice of a thief is his own enemy; he hears the curse but says nothing. a a v24 The 'curse' is a public oath requiring anyone who witnessed the crime to come forward and testify. 25Fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in our Father is kept safe. 26Many seek a ruler's favor, but justice for a person comes from our Father. 27An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and an upright person is detestable to the wicked.
