Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 29:18
18Without revelation people run wild, but one who follows divine instruction will be happy.
Proverbs 29:18 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
- New International Version (NIV)Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.
Context of Proverbs 29:18
16When the wicked increase, rebellion increases, but the righteous will see their downfall. 17Discipline your child, and it will bring you peace of mind and give you delight. Without revelation people run wild, but one who follows divine instruction will be happy. 19A servant cannot be disciplined by words; though he understands, he doesn’t respond. 20Do you see someone who speaks too soon? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Read all of Proverbs 29Proverbs 29:18 word by word
בְּאֵ֣ין חָ֭זוֹן יִפָּ֣רַֽע עָ֑ם וְשֹׁמֵ֖ר תּוֹרָ֣ה אַשְׁרֵֽהוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 29:18
- 1 Samuel 3:1The boy Samuel served the Lord in Eli’s presence. In those days the word of the Lord was rare and prophetic visions were not widespread.
- Hosea 4:6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will reject you from serving as my priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your sons.
- Amos 8:11Look, the days are coming — this is the declaration of the Lord God — when I will send a famine through the land: not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.
- Matthew 9:36When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.
- Romans 10:13For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
- 2 Chronicles 28:19For the Lord humbled Judah because of King Ahaz of Judah, who threw off restraint in Judah and was unfaithful to the Lord.
- Proverbs 19:16The one who keeps commands preserves himself; one who disregards his ways will die.
- Psalms 19:11In addition, your servant is warned by them, and in keeping them there is an abundant reward.
- Psalms 119:2Happy are those who keep his decrees and seek him with all their heart.
- Luke 11:28He said, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”
- John 13:17If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
- John 14:21The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.”
- James 1:25But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works — this person will be blessed in what he does.
- Revelation 22:14“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.
Commentaries on Proverbs 29:18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18Where there is no vision - My old MS. Bible, following the Vulgate, translates: Whan prophecye schal failen, the peple schal ben to scatered. Where Divine revelation, and the faithful preaching of the sacred testimonies, are neither reverenced nor attended, the ruin of that land is at no great distance. But he that keepeth the law, happy is he - Go how it may with others, he shall be safe. So our Lord: "Blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18Vision - The word commonly used of the revelation of God‘s will made to prophets. Compare Isaiah 1:1; Nahum 1:1. When prophetic vision fails, obedience to the Law is the best or only substitute for it, both being forms through which divine wisdom is revealed. Very striking in the midst of ethical precepts is this recognition of the need of a yet higher teaching, without which morality passes into worldly prudence or degenerates into casuistry. The “wise…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18Verse 18 How bare does a place look without Bibles and ministers! and what an easy prey is it to the enemy of souls! That gospel is an open vision, which holds forth Christ, which humbles the sinner and exalts the Saviour, which promotes holiness in the life and conversation: and these are precious truths to keep the soul alive, and prevent it from perishing.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18Wise people follow God's law, which shows His will.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. no vision--instruction in God's truth, which was by prophets, through visions (1Sa 3:1). people perish--(Compare Margin), are deprived of moral restraints. keepeth the law--has, and observes, instruction (Pr 14:11, 34; Psa 19:11).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 29:18
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 29
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
Christian Standard Bible — © 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
Commentaries