Proverbs 29:1-27 ERV

[1] Some people refuse to bend when someone corrects them. Eventually they will break, and there will be no one to repair the damage. [2] When the rulers are good, the people are happy. When the rulers are evil, the people complain. [3] A son who loves wisdom makes his father happy. One who wastes his money on prostitutes will lose his wealth. [4] A nation will be strong when it has a fair and just king. A nation will be weak when it has a king who is selfish and demands gifts. [5] If you give false praise to others in order to get what you want, you are only setting a trap for yourself. [6] Evil people are defeated by their sin, but good people will sing and be happy. [7] Good people want to do what is right for the poor, but the wicked don't care. [8] Proud people who laugh at what is right cause problems that divide whole cities, but people who are wise are able to calm those who are angry. [9] If someone who is wise tries to settle a problem with a fool, the fool will argue and say stupid things, and they will never agree. [10] If you always try to be honest, murderers will hate you, but those who do what is right will want you to be their friend. [11] Fools are quick to express their anger, but wise people are patient and control themselves. [12] If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be evil. [13] In one way the poor and those who steal from them are the same-the LORD made them both. [14] If a king judges the poor fairly, he will rule for a long time. [15] Punishment and discipline can make children wise, but children who are never corrected will bring shame to their mother. [16] If the wicked are ruling the nation, sin will be everywhere, but those who live right will win in the end. [17] Correct your children whenever they are wrong. Then you will always be proud of them. They will never make you ashamed. [18] If a nation is not guided by God, the people will lose self-control, but the nation that obeys God's law will be happy. [19] Servants will not learn a lesson if you only talk to them. They might understand you, but they will not obey. [20] There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking. [21] Give your servants everything they want, and they will learn to be wasteful. [22] An angry person causes arguments, and someone who is quick-tempered is guilty of many sins. [23] Your pride can bring you down. Humility will bring you honor. [24] You are your own worst enemy if you take part in a crime. You will not be able to tell the truth even when people threaten you. [25] Fear can be a trap, but if you trust in the LORD, you will be safe. [26] Many people want the friendship of a ruler, but the LORD is the only one who judges people fairly. [27] Good people think the wicked are disgusting, and the wicked feel disgust for those who are honest.