Rulers, Justice, and Humility
Proverbs 29
Solomon contrasts the effects of righteous and wicked rule on a nation, teaching that just kings and honest reprovers bring stability while stiff-necked and unjust rulers bring mourning and disorder. The chapter also commends the discipline of a son and humility before the Lord, and warns against pride, stubbornness, and complicity with wrongdoing.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonBETTER is a man of reproach, than a man who is stiffnecked: for when the latter is suddenly aggravated, there is no healing him.
BrentonA reprover is better than a stiff-necked man: for when the latter is suddenly set on fire, there shall be no remedy.
GreekΚρείσσων ἀνὴρ ἐλέγχων ἀνδρὸς σκληροτραχήλου, ἐξαπίνης γὰρ φλεγομένου αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔστιν ἴασις.
KJV—
JPS—
2
ThomsonWhen the righteous are applauded the people will rejoice: but when the wicked bear rule, men will mourn.
BrentonWhen the righteous are praised, the people will rejoice: but when the ungodly rule, men mourn.
GreekἘγκωμιαζομένων δικαίων εὐφρανθήσονται λαοὶ, ἀρχόντων δὲ ἀσεβῶν στένουσιν ἄνδρες.
KJVWhen the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
JPSWhen the righteous are increased, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people sigh.
3
ThomsonWhen a man loveth wisdom his father is gladdened: but he who feedeth harlots spendeth his substance.
BrentonWhen a man loves wisdom, his father rejoices: but he that keeps harlots will waste wealth.
GreekἈνδρὸς φιλοῦντος σοφίαν εὐφραίνεται πατὴρ αὐτοῦ, ὃς δὲ ποιμαίνει πόρνας ἀπολεῖ πλοῦτον.
KJVWhoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
JPSWhoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; but he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance.
4
ThomsonA righteous king raiseth a country; but a transgressor overthroweth it.
BrentonA righteous king establishes a country: but a transgressor destroys it.
GreekΒασιλεὺς δίκαιος ἀνίστησι χώραν, ἀνὴρ δὲ παράνομος κατασκάπτει.
KJV—
JPS—
5
ThomsonHe who shall provide a net to catch his friend, spreadeth it for his own feet.
BrentonHe that prepares a net in the way of his own friend, entangles his own feet in it.
GreekὋς παρασκευάζεται ἐπὶ πρόσωπον τοῦ ἑαυτοῦ φιλου δίκτυον, περιβάλλει αὐτὸ τοῖς ἑαυτοῦ ποσίν.
KJVA man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
JPS—
6
ThomsonFor a transgressor there is a great snare; but the just shall have joy and gladness.
BrentonA great snare is spread for a sinner: but the righteous shall be in joy and gladness.
GreekἉμαρτάνοντι ἀνδρὶ μεγάλη παγὶς, δίκαιος δὲ ἐν χαρᾷ καὶ ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ ἔσται.
KJV—
JPS—
7
ThomsonA righteous man is skilled in administering justice to the poor; but the wicked doth not take due cognisance, nor hath he any understanding to oversee the poor.
BrentonA righteous man knows how to judge for the poor: but the ungodly understands not knowledge; and the poor man has not an understanding mind.
GreekἘπίσταται δίκαιος κρίνειν πενιχροῖς, ὁ δὲ ἀσεβὴς οὐ νοεῖ γνῶσιν, καὶ πτωχῷ οὐχ ὑπάρχει νοῦς ἐπιγνώμων.
KJV—
JPSThe righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor; the wicked understandeth not knowledge.
8
ThomsonLawless men set a city in a flame: but wise men avert wrath.
BrentonLawless men burn down a city: but wise men turn away wrath.
GreekἌνδρες ἄνομοι ἐξέκαυσαν πόλιν, σοφοὶ δὲ ἀπέστρεψαν ὀργήν.
KJVScornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
JPSScornful men set a city in a blaze; But wise men turn away wrath.
9
ThomsonA wise man shall judge nations: but a worthless man, when angry, insolently mocks.
BrentonA wise man shall judge nations: but a worthless man being angry laughs and fears not.
GreekἈνὴρ σοφὸς κρινεῖ ἔθνη, ἀνὴρ δὲ φαῦλος ὀργιζόμενος καταγελᾶται καὶ οὐ καταπτήσσει.
KJV—
JPSIf a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest.
10
ThomsonMen stained with blood hate one who is holy: but the upright will vindicate his soul.
BrentonBloody men hate a holy person, but the upright will seek his soul.
GreekἌνδρες αἱμάτων μέτοχοι μισοῦσιν ὅσιον, οἱ δὲ εὐθεῖς ἐκζητήσουσι ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ.
KJVThe bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
JPSThe men of blood hate him that is sincere; And as for the upright, they seek his life.
11
ThomsonA fool sheweth all his mind; but a wise man reserveth it in part.
BrentonA fool utters all his mind: but the wise reserves his in part.
GreekὍλον τὸν θυμὸν αὐτοῦ ἐκφέρει ἄφρων, σοφὸς δὲ ταμιεύεται κατὰ μέρος.
KJVA fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
JPSA fool spendeth all his spirit; But a wise man stilleth it within him.
12
ThomsonWhen a king hearkeneth to falsehood, all under him are transgressors.
BrentonWhen a king hearkens to unjust language, all his subjects are transgressors.
GreekΒασιλέως ὑπακούοντος λόγον ἄδικον, πάντες οἱ ὑπʼ αὐτὸν παράνομοι.
KJV—
JPS—
13
ThomsonWhen creditor and debtor meet each other, the Lord regardeth them both.
BrentonWhen the creditor and debtor meet together, the Lord oversees them both.
GreekΔανιστοῦ καὶ χρεωφειλέτου ἀλλήλοις συνελθόντων, ἐπισκοπὴν ἀμφοτέρων ποιεῖται ὁ Κύριος.
KJVThe poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
JPSThe poor man and the oppressor meet together; The LORD giveth light to the eyes of them both.
14
ThomsonWhen a king judgeth the poor faithfully his throne will be established for a memorial.
BrentonWhen a king judges the poor in truth, his throne shall be established for a testimony.
GreekΒασιλέως ἐν ἀληθείᾳ κρίνοντος πτωχοὺς, ὁ θρόνος αὐτοῦ εἰς μαρτύριον κατασταθήσεται.
KJVThe king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
JPSThe king that faithfully judgeth the poor, His throne shall be established for ever.
15
ThomsonThe rod and reproofs give wisdom: but a child led astray shameth his parents.
BrentonStripes and reproofs give wisdom: but an erring child disgraces his parents.
GreekΠληγαὶ καὶ ἔλεγχοι διδόασι σοφίαν, παῖς δὲ πλανώμενος αἰσχύνει γονεῖς αὐτοῦ.
KJVThe rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
JPSThe rod and reproof give wisdom; But a child left to himself causeth shame to his mother.
16
ThomsonWhen the wicked abound, transgressions are multiplied: but when they fall, the righteous are cautioned.
BrentonWhen the ungodly abound, sins abound: but when they fall, the righteous are warned.
GreekΠολλῶν ὄντων ἀσεβῶν πολλαὶγίνονται ἁμαρτίαι, οἱ δὲ δίκαιοι ἐκείνων πιπτόντων κατάφοβοι γίνονται.
KJVWhen the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
JPSWhen the wicked are increased, transgression increaseth; But the righteous shall gaze upon their fall.
17
ThomsonCorrect thy son and he will give thee rest, and add honour to thy life.
BrentonChasten thy son, and he shall give thee rest; and he shall give honour to thy soul.
GreekΠαίδευε υἱόν σου, καὶ ἀναπαύσει σε, καὶ δώσει κόσμον τῇ ψυχῇ σου.
KJVCorrect thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
JPSCorrect thy son, and he will give thee rest; Yea, he will give delight unto thy soul.
18
ThomsonThere can be no teacher for a sinful people; but he who keepeth the law is most fortunate.
BrentonThere shall be no interpreter to a sinful nation: but he that observes the law is blessed.
GreekΟὐ μὴ ὑπάρξῃ ἐξηγητὴς ἔθνει παρανόμῳ, ὁ δὲ φυλάσσων τὸν νόμον μακαριστός.
KJV—
JPS—
19
ThomsonA stubborn servant will not be instructed by words: for though he may understand he will not obey.
BrentonA stubborn servant will not be reproved by words: for even if he understand, still he will not obey.
GreekΛόγοις οὐ παιδευθήσεται οἰκέτης σκληρός· ἐὰν γὰρ καὶ νοήσῃ, ἀλλʼ οὐχ ὑπακούσεται.
KJVA servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
JPSA servant will not be corrected by words; For though he understand, there will be no response.
20
ThomsonIf thou seest a man hasty in his words: be assured there is more hope for a fool than for him.
BrentonIf thou see a man hasty in his words, know that the fool has hope rather than he.
GreekἘὰν ἴδῃς ἄνδρα ταχὺν ἐν λόγοις, γίνωσκε ὅτι ἐλπίδα ἔχει μᾶλλον ὁ ἄφρων αὐτοῦ.
KJVSeest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
JPSSeest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21
Thomson—
BrentonHe that lives wantonly from a child, shall be a servant, and in the end shall grieve over himself.
GreekὋς κατασπαταλᾷ ἐκ παιδὸς, οἰκέτης ἔσται, ἔσχατον δὲ ὀδυνηθήσεται ἐφʼ ἑαυτῷ·
KJVHe that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
JPSHe that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become master at the last.
22
ThomsonA passionate man stirreth up strife: but a furious man is a digger up of sin.
BrentonA furious man stirs up strife, and a passionate man digs up sin.
GreekἈνὴρ θυμώδης ἐγείρει νεῖκος, ἀνὴρ δὲ ὀργίλος ἐξώρυξεν ἁμαρτίαν.
KJVAn angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
JPS—
23
ThomsonA man’s pride will bring him low: but the Lord will gloriously support the humble.
BrentonPride brings a man low, but the Lord upholds the humble-minded with honour.
GreekὝβρις ἄνδρα ταπεινοῖ, τοὺς δὲ ταπεινόφρονας ἐρείδει δόξῃ Κύριος.
KJVA man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
JPSA man’s pride shall bring him low; but he that is of a lowly spirit shall attain to honour.
24
ThomsonHe who is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: and so do they, who hear an oath administered, if they do not make discovery.
BrentonHe that shares with a thief, hates his own soul: and if any having heard an oath uttered tell not of it,
GreekὋς μερίζεται κλέπτῃ, μισεῖ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχήν· ἐὰν δὲ ὅρκου προτεθέντος ἀκούσαντες μὴ ἀναγγείλωσι,
KJVWhoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
JPSWhoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: He heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing.
25
ThomsonThey who fear and reverence men have been supplanted: but he whose trust is in the Lord shall be gladdened. Impiety causeth a man to fall: but he who trusteth in the Lord shall be safe.
Brentonthey fearing and reverencing men unreasonably have been overthrown, but he that trusts in the Lord shall rejoice. Ungodliness causes a man to stumble: but he that trusts in his master shall be safe.
Greekφοβηθέντες καὶ αἰσχυνθέντες ἀνθρώπους ὑπεσκελίσθησαν, ὁ δὲ πεποιθὼς ἐπὶ Κυρίῳ εὐφρανθήσεται· ἀσέβεια ἀνδρὶ δίδωσι σφάλμα, ὃς δὲ πέποιθεν ἐπὶ τῷ δεσπότῃ σωθήσεται.
KJVThe fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
JPS—
26
ThomsonMany court the favour of princes: but justice cometh to a man from the Lord.
BrentonMany wait on the favour of rulers; but justice comes to a man from the Lord.
GreekΠολλοὶ θεραπεύουσι πρόσωπα ἡγουμένων, παρὰ δὲ Κυρίου γίνεται τὸ δίκαιον ἀνδρί.
KJVMany seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.
JPSMany seek the ruler’s favour; but a man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.
27
ThomsonA righteous man is an abomination to an unjust man: and a straight course is an abomination to a transgressor.
BrentonA righteous man is an abomination to an unrighteous man, and the direct way is an abomination to the sinner.
GreekΒδέλυγμα δίκαιος ἀνὴρ ἀνδρὶ ἀδίκῳ, βδέλυγμα δὲ ἀνόμῳ κατευθύνουσα ὁδός.
KJVAn unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
JPSAn unjust man is an abomination to the righteous; and he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.