Proverbs 29:4
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it.
- KJV
- The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
- WEB
- The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down.
- ASV
- The king by justice establisheth the land; But he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it.
- DARBY
- A king by just judgment establisheth the land; but he that taketh gifts overthroweth it.
- BLB
- A king by justice establishes the land, and a man of contributions tears it down.
- ÅB
- En konge trygger sitt land ved rett; men en mann som tar imot gaver, bryter det ned.
- OTB
- En konge gir stabilitet til landet gjennom rettferdighet, men de som tar imot bestikkelser, undergraver det.
- B1930
- En konge trygger sitt land ved rett; men en mann som tar imot gaver, bryter det ned.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 29:14
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
Read in contextProverbs 20:8
A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
Read in contextDaniel 11:20
Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.
Read in contextMicah 7:3
That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.
Read in context2 Chronicles 9:8
Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the LORD thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.
Read in context2 Kings 15:18–20
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.
Read in contextJeremiah 22:13–17
Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour’s service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;
Read in context1 Kings 2:12
Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly.
Read in context