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 tears it down.
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,
but blessed is he who keeps the law.
19 By mere words a servant is not disciplined,
for though he understands, he will not respond.
20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 Whoever pampers his servant from childhood
will in the end find him his heir.
22 A man of wrath stirs up strife,
and one given to anger causes much transgression.
23 One's pride will bring him low,
but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
24 The partner of a thief hates his own life;
he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
25 The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
26 Many seek the face of a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked. Proverbs 29 ESV
Proverbs 29
He who is often reproved yet stiffens his neck - I was warned often of many things. Of drugs, I was warned, but overdosed more than once. I was warned of bad company, but kept it much to my shame. Pride hardens against God's word and law, as if I as a creature am somehow above. It is the greatest mercy to be broken of God without being utterly vanquished or destroyed.
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 ch. 10:17 ), despise it ch. 5:12 ), hate it, ch. 12:1 . 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? - Matthew Henry
…13 About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied.… Acts 26: 13-15
But a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth - The rich have many "friends".
But he who exacts gifts tears it down - It is interesting that those who are paid well to serve the people, do not serve the people so well as themselves. They use power and influence to make themselves wealthy at the cost of doing what is right. Many come into jobs that pay 176,000 a year, yet move tax payer dollars and make unjust decisions, taking corrupt money from kick backs, and making millions upon a lack of integrity. Sadly, in my country, people still vote for these criminals time and again.
Scoffers set a city aflame - They fuel the flames of discord, putting neighbor against neighbor.
When such are employed in the business of the state they do things with precipitation, because they scorn to deliberate, and will not take time for consideration and consultation; they do things illegal and unjustifiable, because they scorn to be hampered by laws and constitutions; they break their faith, because they scorn to be bound by their word, and provoke the people, because they scorn to please them. Thus they bring a city into a snare by their ill conduct, or (as the margin reads it) they set a city on fire; they sow discord among the citizens and run them into confusion. Those are scornful men that mock at religion, the obligations of conscience, the fears of another world, and every thing that is sacred and serious. Such men are the plagues of their generation; they bring God’s judgments upon a land, set men together by the ears, and so bring all to confusion. 2. Who are the men that are the blessings of a land—the wise men who by promoting religion, which is true wisdom, turn away the wrath of God, and who, by prudent counsels, reconcile contending parties and prevent the mischievous consequences of divisions. Proud and foolish men kindle the fires which wise and good men must extinguish. - Matthew Henry
A fool gives full vent to his spirit - He is not slow to speak or thoughtful, but wants to be heard. All his contempt is brought forth and his temper displayed.
The Lord gives light to the eyes of both - Money does not buy it, and it is not innate to either, but like rain from above.
…15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” 16“I myself cannot do it,” Joseph replied, “but God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” 17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile,… Genesis 41: 15-17
But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother - Children need parents, but we have thrown that away for the praise of our children in letting them raise themselves. Me not liking discipline was never a good measure of whether I needed it. Love that refuses to be unpopular is self love.
But blessed is he who keeps the law - Where there is no shepherd the sheep wander, and they become easy prey. Everyone does what is right in their own eyes. God has given us many means of grace, His word, pastors, friendships of equal yoke, prayer, and His own Spirit. Do not forsake these and you will be blessed.
Will in the end find him his heir - If we are too delicate with those who work for us, promote them too quickly, then they will be more like the entitled son. They will lord the relationship over their fellow servants.
One's pride will bring him low - Mercifully so if it is not your end. I have tasted the floor of my pride on too many occasion, but once I could see it, and God gave me the light to detest it, then I could walk away from it. The ego is a form of insanity that men treasure, but it is the fast road to our demise. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The fear of man lays a snare - We are apt to comply with what we fear. Men will dishonor themselves and their integrity when they are afraid. Those that fear will often compromise where they should not.
…15 Now, if you are ready, as soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the statue I have made. But if you refuse to worship, you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace. Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king.… Daniel 3: 15-17
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