Proverbs 29King James Version
He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Where there is no vision, the people perish. The fear of man bringeth a snare, but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. A king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established forever.
The man repeatedly reproved who stiffens his neck will be broken suddenly (verse 1). A king who judges the poor fairly stabilizes his throne. 'Where there is no vision, the people perish' (verse 18). A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; he understands but doesn't respond. 'The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe' (verse 25).
Justice from leaders and trust in God over human opinion are the anchors of stable society. People without revelation drift.
29:25: 'The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.' The opinion trap is named: approval-seeking is its own prison.
The closing of Hezekiah's editorial project, roughly 700 BC, a period when Judah faced Assyrian pressure and needed clarity about where ultimate authority lay.
Solomon's wisdom collected by Hezekiah's scribes. The king, the servant, the angry man, the man who fears the opinion of others.
Chapter 29 closes the Hezekiah collection and the main proverb body. The vision verse (18), often quoted in leadership and planning contexts, is about prophetic revelation and law-keeping rather than corporate strategic planning. Its context matters. The fear-of-man verse (25) names a universal human trap with unusual precision.
For when you are making decisions based on what others will think rather than what is true. Verse 25 doesn't just name the problem; it names the only exit.
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.