Proverbs 29
KJV
1He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. 2When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. 3Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance. 4The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it. 5A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet. 6In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice. 7The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it. 8Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath. 9If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. 10The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul. 11A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. 12If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. 13The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes. 14The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. 15The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. 16When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. 17Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. 18Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. 19A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer. 20Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him. 21He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length. 22An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. 23A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. 24Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not. 25The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. 26Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD. 27An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
Introduction
Proverbs 29
Here, 1. The obstinacy of many wicked people in a wicked way is to be greatly lamented. They are often reproved by parents and friends, by magistrates and ministers, by the providence of God and by their own consciences, have had their sins set in order before them and fair warning given them of the consequences of them, but all in vain; they harden their necks. Perhaps they fling away, and will not so much as give the reproof a patient hearing; or, if they do, yet they go on in the sins for which they are reproved; they will not bow their necks to the yoke, but are children of Belial; they refuse reproof (Pro 10:17), despise it (Pro 5:12), hate it, Pro 12:1. 2. The issue of this obstinacy is to be greatly dreaded: Those that go on in sin, in spite of admonition, shall be destroyed; those that will not be reformed must expect to be ruined; if the rods answer not the end, expect the axes. They shall be suddenly destroyed, in the midst of their security, and without remedy; they have sinned against the preventing remedy, and therefore let them not expect any recovering remedy. Hell is remediless destruction. They shall be destroyed, and no healing, so the word is. If God wounds, who can heal?
Cross-references: Prov 10:17 · Prov 5:12 · Prov 12:1