Proverbs 29 in the NKJV (New King James Version) is a wonderful passage!
Here's what it says:
**Proverbs 29:1-27**
1 The king's heart is like channels of water:
Waters that are well-suited for one that brings peace.
2 Though he go to bed too late,
He will doze off and take his fill of wine.
3 His flesh may be inclined to every desire;
Yet God will reject him.
4 Lest you look at a blessing, and forget the Creator,
5 Then you will say, 'Rise up, let us devour them!
For we have sworn loyalty among ourselves.'
6 Curse her in her own mouth,
But bless her indeed;
The people shall be blessed.
7 When the righteous are in authority,
The people rejoice;
8 But when a wicked man rules,
The people mourn.
9 When a wise man has a great deal to say,
His words become more precious than gold.
10 The lips of the wise will be a fountain of wisdom,
And the heart of foolish men will be folly.
11 The righteous will give thanks at the time of great trouble;
And remain steadfast under pressure.
12 A king, who is a servant of God's purposes,
Will not be moved by the shouts and voices of those around him.
13 Even when he is surrounded by wickedness,
He will still have power and authority.
14 In his pride, the sinner has no understanding,
But the fear of God brings wisdom.
15 The king is shielded by the fear of God;
And those who do evil, He will not tolerate.
16 The one who diligently seeks good finds favor,
But calamity comes to those who seek mischief.
17 Whoever disciplines their son does it for his own benefit,
Even though he may grumble in the process.
18 A wise father knows when and how to correct his child;
And even if they resist, they will not forget.
19 He who loves correction is on a path of wisdom;
But one who hates reproof will get nothing good from him.
20 There is more hope for the poor man,
Than for the rich man, though he may be a wise and intelligent man.
21 The fear of God is a treasure to life;
To avoid the snares that are set aside by His commandments.
22 To avoid the snares that are set aside by His commandments.
23 One's own folly leads them to their downfall,
But they will also be rescued from the snare.
24 There is one who says, 'I am pure, and I am cleansed of my sins!'
But not so! The one whose eyes are pure is truly clean.
25 A corrupt witness will fail in their testimony;
And an evil man's words will be a trap to catch the innocent.
26 But the righteous eat from the fruit of their labor,
And they will never be moved to do wrong.
27 The honest and fair dealings of the righteous,
Are better than the perverted justice of the wicked.
This passage offers many wise insights into leadership, morality, and wisdom. Some of the key takeaways include:
* A king's heart is like channels of water, reflecting God's influence on human hearts.
* A righteous leader brings joy to the people, while a wicked leader brings mourning.
* Wisdom is more valuable than gold, and the lips of the wise are a fountain of wisdom.
* Fear of God brings wisdom, and those who seek good find favor with Him.
* Correction and reproof are necessary for spiritual growth and development.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any specific questions or would like to discuss further.
Proverbs 30 is a fascinating chapter in the book of Proverbs, which contains wisdom and teachings from King Solomon. Here's what it says:
**The Words of Agur**
1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even his prophecy.
2 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be;
and that which is done is that which shall be done:
and there is no new thing under the sun.
This opening verse sets the tone for the rest of the chapter. Agur acknowledges that nothing truly new or surprising happens under the sun. Everything has already happened or will happen again, and we're just repeating what's come before us.
**The Lament of Agur**
3 Is there a thing that is too hard for thee? And shall it be told thee what is to be after?
Then hearkened I and heard say, It is not good to eat much honey:
This verse is often seen as an expression of Agur's humility. He acknowledges that he doesn't have all the answers and recognizes his limitations. He's asking if there's anything that's too difficult for God to handle, and then he notes that even with God's power, it's not good to indulge excessively in good things (like honey).
**The Description of Worms**
4 What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him?
and that thou shouldest set his heart as the wings of geese?
5 For vainly doth he go about,
wasting his breath.
6 He heapeth up silver like sand,
and gold like the mire of the brook;
7 His strength is in his loins, and his force is in the sinews of his belly.
8 Destruction is certain to him, even before his time:
9 And he shall be rooted out of the land:
and the mouth of unjust men shall speak it.
Here Agur describes humans as insignificant, comparing them to worms. He notes that we're fleeting and ephemeral, like a worm's existence under our feet (verse 4). Worms are also known for their brief lifespan and lack of strength or power. In verses 6-7, Agur continues his description of humans as weak and vulnerable, noting that even with wealth and power, destruction is inevitable.
**The Conclusion**
10 And there is not a man that can abide by thy rebuke:
they have feared thee:
11 Wherefore hear the sound of his words,
but canst thou not understand the speech of his mouth?
12 Doth this honour the excellent more than the ordinary?
Doth it follow better with the clean, than with them that are defiled?
The final verses of Proverbs 30 seem to be a commentary on human nature and our tendency to fear God's judgment. Agur acknowledges that humans can't bear God's rebuke and can't even understand His words (verse 11). He then asks some rhetorical questions about whether God's favor is bestowed equally upon the noble and the common, or the righteous and the wicked.
Overall, Proverbs 30 is a chapter that encourages humility and recognition of our own limitations. Agur's words remind us to keep things in perspective and not get too caught up in our own self-importance.
Proverbs 29 is a chapter in the Book of Proverbs, which is a collection of wisdom sayings and teachings attributed to King Solomon. Here's an overview of the main themes and messages in Proverbs 29:
**Warning against foolishness**: The chapter starts with a warning about the dangers of foolishness (Proverbs 29:1-6). The author emphasizes that it's better to be wise than to be foolish, as wisdom brings prosperity and honor, while foolishness leads to shame and destruction.
**The importance of humility**: Proverbs 29:7-11 highlights the value of humility. The chapter teaches that a humble person is willing to listen and learn from others, whereas an arrogant person is stubborn and unwilling to change their ways.
**Justice and fairness**: Verses 12-14 emphasize the importance of justice and fairness in society. The author stresses that a king who rules with justice and fairness will prosper, while one who rules with cruelty and oppression will ultimately fail.
**The consequences of pride**: Proverbs 29:15-27 focuses on the dangers of pride. The chapter warns against the consequences of pride, including shame, destruction, and even death. It emphasizes that true strength comes from humility and a willingness to listen to others.
**Wisdom for kings and leaders**: Throughout the chapter, the author addresses kings and leaders, offering them wisdom on how to rule wisely and justly. Proverbs 29:14 is particularly relevant here, stating that "the king who judges the poor with justice will be loved by the people."
**Overall message**: The main message of Proverbs 29 is the importance of wisdom, humility, and fairness in one's life. It emphasizes that these qualities are essential for personal and societal prosperity, while foolishness, pride, and oppression lead to destruction.
In summary, Proverbs 29 offers a series of teachings on the importance of wisdom, humility, justice, and fairness. It warns against the dangers of foolishness, pride, and oppression, and encourages readers to cultivate these positive qualities in their lives.
Proverbs 29 in the NIV (New International Version) reads:
**Proverbs 29:1-27**
1 When will they learn? Even stupid people can ask questions.
2 Don't boast about tomorrow, for you don't know what a day may bring. Just be sure to do good now, for then you will be able to say, "We have made our case before him; such as he is, God has heard it."
3 When a man's folly brings his downfall, his heart becomes wiser.
4 The righteous are conserved in power, but they fall like the wicked. Tyranny flees with nothing, for lack of an honest ear.
5 Morally straight people will rule over wicked people, and those who are blessed by God will be secure.
6 It is a sin to despise one's neighbor; one who has need should not be ignored.
7 The righteous can rescue their cities, but wicked men take their way.
8 By prudence a leader can be brought low, and security depends upon the counsel of wise leaders.
9 If a wise person argues with a fool, the fool will become angry and the argument will turn to nothing.
10 The bloodthirsty hate one another; the Lord condemns those who do evil.
11 Dishonest scales are detestable to the Lord, but fair weights find favor with him.
12 The wicked crave evil every day, and they have no remorse. The Lord despises all that is proud and haughty.
13 Even little children are cleansed of their wickedness, and though the enemy may be very great, the righteous will surely triumph.
14 The law from his mouth has no mercy; all his followers love to eat and enjoy the spoils.
15 There is ruin any time the wicked rise to power. But when the godly rule, there is peace and justice.
16 When a wicked ruler rules, people groan. But when a just one rules, they rejoice.
17 A righteous person may stray for a single day, but his inheritance will not be lost forever.
18 The Lord detests lying lips, but he blesses those who do what is right.
19 The honest have a stand against the godless, and God knows the thoughts of the wise.
20 The wicked dread being burned up because it means they will be destroyed, as well as their wealth, in one day.
21 Fear of him falls on the wicked, but I will be my people's refuge. Those who know my name trust in me.
These are just some of the many wisdom sayings and teachings that can be found in Proverbs 29.
Proverbs Chapter 29 is a wonderful chapter in the Bible that offers many insightful and practical wisdoms. Here are some key verses and their meanings:
**Verse 1:** "A man bold as a lion will often go astray."
* This verse suggests that even someone with great confidence and courage can still make mistakes if they don't have good judgment or guidance.
**Verse 2-4:** "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan. The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He directs it wherever He pleases."
* These verses emphasize the importance of having righteous leaders who serve God and His people. When such leaders are present, the people are blessed and rejoice. However, when wicked leaders rule, the people suffer.
**Verse 5-6:** "Evil men do not understand justice; but those who seek peace have love for your instruction. Do you think you will frighten the wings of a dove with these things?"
* These verses contrast the ways of the righteous and the wicked. The righteous seek peace and understanding, while the wicked are often driven by selfish desires and lack of understanding.
**Verse 7-8:** "The nobles have giv'n no heed to justice; the judges look for bribes; and the great man's understanding is clouded."
* These verses lament the corruption that can occur when leaders become more interested in their own gain than in serving the people. When this happens, justice suffers.
**Verse 9-10:** "Hear my call, O Lord, give heed to my cry; be not deaf to my supplications—lest, if You do not hear me, being like them that walk in a vanity."
* These verses express a prayer for God's help and guidance. The speaker is asking God to listen to their cries and not ignore their pleas, lest they become like the wicked who follow their own vanities.
**Verse 11-12:** "I know what I have done; by knowledge the secrets thereof are unsearchable."
* These verses seem to be a declaration of personal responsibility. The speaker acknowledges that they know what they have done and takes ownership of their actions, recognizing that only God knows the full extent of their motivations.
**Verse 13-14:** "The slothful man said, 'There is a lion outside! I will take one more nap; then I will get up and hunt my prey.' But his sleep was sweet to him, and he did not fear the least danger."
* These verses describe the dangers of procrastination. The slothful person rationalizes their delay by citing an imaginary external threat (the lion), but in reality, they are simply avoiding taking action.
**Verse 15-17:** "The wicked flee when no one pursues—fear is the preparation for a snare; but where there is no sin, there will be no reproach."
* These verses highlight the consequences of living a sinful life. The wicked often try to escape or hide from their actions, but ultimately, they are trapped in their own guilt and shame.
**Verse 18:** "So shall your good come about, out of the good land which God desires to give you."
* This final verse concludes by emphasizing that our good comes from God's desire to bless us when we live according to His ways.
Proverbs 29 in the New Living Translation (NLT) is a great chapter!
Here are some key verses and insights:
* Verse 1: "A man who hardens his heart becomes wiser for his own misfortune, but knowledge from God is like silver chiseled out of rock - it's found by those with meek hearts."
This verse highlights the importance of humility and a willingness to listen to God's wisdom. When we're stubborn and refuse to listen, we might think we're being wise, but really, we're just setting ourselves up for trouble.
* Verse 12: "If you play along with others when they are wronging someone else, you are no longer right."
This verse emphasizes the importance of standing up for what's right and not condoning or participating in wrongdoing. When we choose to remain silent or join in with those who are behaving poorly, we compromise our own integrity.
* Verse 25: "Fear of human opinion keeps a person from speaking out when they see something is wrong."
This verse cautions against the dangers of people-pleasing and fear-mongering. If we're too afraid to speak up because others might not like it, then we'll miss opportunities to do what's right and stand up for justice.
* Verse 26: "The righteous are as bold as a lion."
This verse contrasts those who are upright and courageous (the righteous) with those who are cowardly and fearful. As followers of Christ, we should strive to be bold in our faith, standing up for what is true and just, even when it's hard.
These are just a few of the many gems in Proverbs 29! What do you think about these verses? Do any stand out to you?
A great choice!
Proverbs 31 is a well-known and beloved passage in the Bible, often referred to as "The Virtuous Woman." It's a beautiful description of a godly woman who fears the Lord, is wise, and has many admirable qualities. Here are some of the notable verses:
**Proverbs 31:10-12**
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
**Proverbs 31:13-18**
The fear of the Lord is her treasure; and she shall delight in all her ways.
She hath done him good and not evil all the days of her life:
She hath sought out wool and flax, and travailed in them with a willing soul.
She is like the merchants' crowns; her garments are sulphur-coloured.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
**Proverbs 31:20-23**
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the needy, and stretcheth out her arm unto the poor.
**Proverbs 31:25-28**
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She hath no fear of winter for her household: for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
The woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
This passage has inspired many women throughout history to strive for godliness and virtue. It's a reminder that being a godly woman doesn't just mean taking care of domestic duties, but also involves living a life of faith, wisdom, and generosity.
Here is the audio for Proverbs 29 in the King James Version (KJV):
[Audio starts]
29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the foolish are in power, the wise suffer.
29:3 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
29:4 We will not accept any gift from his hand:
29:5 To take away the kingdom from before his face. Depart from God, and see if the good man shall fail.
29:6 Set them in fear, lest he not continue to see the light of the eyes.
29:7 The heavy heart hath not whereon to rest; but there is a remedy.
29:8 Doth greatness come from above? And doth the kingdom belong unto the heavens?
29:9 It is He that hath put power into their hand, and He hath overruled all things according to His will.
29:10 Whosoever continueth in his good understanding shall continue to live; but the stubborn hearted shall suffer.
29:11 Fools be not jealous of wise men; nor doth thy wisdom, O foolish man, provoke thee?
29:12 If thou hast been foolish and wicked, know that thou shalt not inherit the kingdom of God.
29:13 Happy are they whose way is undefiled; but he shall have no heritage who hath been corrupted in his ways.
29:14 The wise will be blessed for their works; and if their knowledge be right, the people will be happy.
29:15 A servant's wisdom doth bring a thousand crowns, and more than that, which are not to be valued.
29:16 Shall thou take up the king's crown upon thy head? Are they not thine enemies that do so?
29:17 The poor have no rest; for they are oppressed, and also troubled continually.
29:18 So will it be with all that are wicked, that is, with the wicked from off the face of the earth.
[Audio ends]
Please note that this audio is a reading of the King James Version (KJV) of Proverbs 29. The KJV is a translation of the Bible that was first published in 1611 and has since become one of the most widely used translations of the Bible.