Proverbs 29
1A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery. 2When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. 3A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. 4By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it. 5A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. 6An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one sings and rejoices. 7The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns. 8Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger. 9If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution. 10Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life. 11A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back. 12If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked. 13The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both. 14A king who judges the poor with fairness— his throne will be established forever. 15A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. 16When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall. 17Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul. 18Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law. 19A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond. 20Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 21A servant pampered from his youth will bring grief in the end. 22An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression. 23A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor. 24A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath, but does not testify. 25The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high. 26Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD. 27An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.
Life is short. Where are you going?
You just read God’s own words, and one day every one of us will stand before Him. “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14). This life will be over sooner than you think — do you know where you are going when it is?
The Bible says, “Man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). If you died today, would you be ready?
Are you a good person?
Most of us think we are. But God doesn’t measure us against other people — He measures us by His Law. Look honestly at the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3–17):
- You shall have no other gods before Me.
- You shall not make for yourself an idol.
- You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
- Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
- Honor your father and mother.
- You shall not murder.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness.
- You shall not covet.
Have you ever told a lie — even a small one? Have you ever taken something that wasn’t yours? Have you ever used God’s name as a curse word? Have you ever wanted what belongs to someone else? Jesus said that anyone who looks with lust “has already committed adultery … in his heart” (Matthew 5:28), and the Bible says “everyone who hates his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15).
If we’re honest, we have all broken God’s Law — and “whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:10). “There is no one righteous, not even one … there is no one who does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10–12).
That leaves every one of us guilty before a holy God. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), and “whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36). This is why our world is full of tragedy — and without Christ, every life ends in the greatest tragedy of all.
But God made a way
“God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus lived the perfect life we never could, and on the cross He took the punishment we deserved: “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Three days later He rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).
It’s like standing guilty in court when the judge steps down and pays your fine himself. Forgiveness is a free gift — you can’t earn it: “It is by grace you have been saved through faith … it is the gift of God, not by works” (Ephesians 2:8–9). “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” Jesus — John 10:10
What will you do with Jesus?
“Repent and believe in the gospel!” (Mark 1:15). Turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus alone — “if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Don’t put it off — “now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation!” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
And when you turn to Him, you won’t be met with a frown — you’ll be met with a celebration. Jesus said, “there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). God says, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live” (Ezekiel 33:11). He is “mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness … He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). Like the father who ran to embrace his lost son, He is waiting with open arms — and heaven throws a party when you come home (Luke 15:20–24).
If you died today, where would you spend eternity? Today you can be forgiven, made new, and have real, abundant life — now and forever.
Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), which is in the public domain.