New International Version
Proverbs 29:18
18Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.
Context of Proverbs 29:18
16When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall. 17Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire. Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction. 19Servants cannot be corrected by mere words; though they understand, they will not respond. 20Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
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 ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.
- Hosea 4:6my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.
- Amos 8:11“The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land— not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.
- Matthew 9:36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
- Romans 10:13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
- 2 Chronicles 28:19The Lord had humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had promoted wickedness in Judah and had been most unfaithful to the Lord.
- Proverbs 19:16Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.
- Psalms 19:11By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
- Psalms 119:2Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—
- Luke 11:28He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
- John 13:17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
- John 14:21Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
- James 1:25But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
- Revelation 22:14“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.
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
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