Proverbs 29:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.

NIV: By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.

NASB: The king gives stability to the land by justice, But a person who takes bribes ruins it.

CSB: By justice a king brings stability to a land, but a person who demands "contributions" demolishes it.

NLT: A just king gives stability to his nation, but one who demands bribes destroys it.

KJV: The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

NKJV: The king establishes the land by justice, But he who receives bribes overthrows it.

Scripture indicates that corruption and justice are entirely incompatible (Proverbs 15:27; 17:23; 29:7). A king—or any government—who rightly applies justice contributes to his kingdom's stability and peace. However, greedy leaders who accept bribes and other forms of corruption make the nation unstable. A nation ruled by selfish, greedy people is prone to collapse. The Hebrew phrasing here implies something like taxes, or extorted fees, further underlining the idea of immoral government leaders.

Solomon was a just king under whose reign the kingdom prospered and was peaceful. His son Rehoboam convened a council of old men and asked for their advice. They told him to be a servant to the people and speak good words to them. But he rejected their advice and summoned young men for advice. They told him to add to the burden Solomon had imposed on them. They told him to tell the people, "My little finger is thicker than my father's thighs. And now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions" (1 Kings 12:10–11).

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.