Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 29:2 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan. "
Proverbs 29:2
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
1 He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.
2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down.
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This repeats what was said earlier in Proverbs 28:12 and Proverbs 28:28. The people will have reason to rejoice or to grieve, depending on whether their rulers are righteous or wicked. If righteous people are in power, sin will be punished and held back, and religion and virtue will be supported and respected. But if wicked people gain power, wickedness will spread, religion and godly people will be persecuted, and the purpose of government will be turned upside down.
The people will actually rejoice or mourn according to the kind of rulers they have. Even ordinary people understand the value of virtue and religion, and they are glad when these are honored and protected. On the other hand, no matter how much honor or power wicked people have, if they use it badly, they make themselves despised and shameful in the eyes of the people, as those priests did in Malachi 2:9. Then subjects will feel unhappy and oppressed under such rule.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 29:1
"He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy."
Proverbs 29:3
"Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth."
Proverbs 29:4
"The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down."
Proverbs 29:5
"A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet."
Proverbs 29:6
"An evil man is snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing and be glad."
Proverbs 29:7
"The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge."
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