Proverbs 29:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: An evil man is ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man sings and rejoices.

NIV: Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

NASB: By wrongdoing an evil person is ensnared, But the righteous sings and rejoices.

CSB: An evil person is caught by sin, but the righteous one sings and rejoices.

NLT: Evil people are trapped by sin, but the righteous escape, shouting for joy.

KJV: In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

NKJV: By transgression an evil man is snared, But the righteous sings and rejoices.

The prior proverb noted that lying—through flattery (Proverbs 29:5)—sets the liar up to be caught in his own scheme. Lies create a complex "web" of dishonesty which eventually collapses, and the liar is caught in their dishonesty. The lesson here is a broader statement of the same idea. Other proverbs noted that wicked people are often ruined by their own choices (Proverbs 13:15; 19:13; 22:5). Sometimes, that's as direct as suffering the exact fate they arranged for others (Proverbs 28:10; Esther 7:9–10).

In contrast, a person who follows godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 3:33–35; 8:34–36) has a clear conscience. His heart is free to sing in happiness; his life is typically free from the natural consequences of sin (Proverbs 3:1–2; 11:19). Jesus promised joy to the righteous. He told His disciples: "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full" (John 15:10–11).

An evil person unsuccessfully looks for happiness in sin. A God-honoring person finds joy in obeying the Lord. Paul writes in Romans 14:17: "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Righteous and joy are linked, but evil and joy are mutually exclusive. Eventually, sin always leads to death (Romans 6:23; John 3:16–21).

Proverbs 29:1–11 begins with an especially dire warning. Solomon (Proverbs 25:1) contrasts righteous government to wicked rulers. The passage also cautions against deception and points out that righteousness is shown in being charitable to the poor. Arguing with fools is pointless, but there is great value in keeping one's temper in check.

Much of this passage refers to negative consequences of unwise attitudes or behavior: stubbornness leads to brokenness. Lack of self-control brings shame. Ignorant, ungodly rulers spread sin and corruption. Pride leads to humiliation. Most of these statements follow the two-part pattern established elsewhere in the book of Proverbs. The final lesson summarizes the deep difference between those who are godly and those who pursue their own desires.

This concludes the collection of Solomon's proverbs which King Hezekiah's men collected (Proverbs 25:1). Like previous passages, chapter 29 contrasts wisdom and folly, the benefits of heeding God's law and the devastating consequences of disobeying it, and the blessings of righteousness compared to the curses of sin.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.