Proverbs 29

⁴The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

Judgment - By the free and impartial exercise of justice. Gifts - Bribes.

⁸Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.

Wrath - The wrath of God or of men, who were enraged against it.

⁹If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

Whether - Whether he, the wise man, deal sharply with him, or mildly, there is no rest, no end or fruit of the debate.

¹⁰The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.

Seek - To preserve it.

¹⁵The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

Left - Suffered to follow his own will without restraint and chastening.

¹⁸Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

No vision - No prophecy; no publick preaching of God’s word.

¹⁹A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.

A servant - Who is so not only in condition, but also in the temper of his mind, disingenuous, and stubborn. Words - By mere words. Tho’ - Though he know thy mind, and his own duty.

²⁰Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

Hasty - Who is rash and heady in the management of his affairs.

²¹He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.

Delicately - Allowing him too much freedom, and familiarity. A son - Will find him at last grow insolent, and forgetful of his servile condition.

²⁴Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

Bewrayeth it not - Which he is bound to do for the publick good.

²⁵The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

A snare - Is an occasion of many sins.

²⁶Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.

Judgment - The decision of his cause, and the success of all his endeavours.