Proverbs 29:18
New International Version
Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.

New Living Translation
When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.

English Standard Version
Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

Berean Standard Bible
Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law.

King James Bible
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

New King James Version
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.

New American Standard Bible
Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is one who keeps the Law.

NASB 1995
Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law.

NASB 1977
Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law.

Legacy Standard Bible
Where there is no vision, the people are out of control, But how blessed is he who keeps the law.

Amplified Bible
Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained; But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].

Christian Standard Bible
Without revelation people run wild, but one who follows divine instruction will be happy.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Without revelation people run wild, but one who listens to instruction will be happy.

American Standard Version
Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Contemporary English Version
Without guidance from God law and order disappear, but God blesses everyone who obeys his Law.

English Revised Version
Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Without prophetic vision people run wild, but blessed are those who follow [God's] teachings.

Good News Translation
A nation without God's guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God's law!

International Standard Version
Without prophetic vision, people abandon restraint, but those who obey the Law are happy.

Majority Standard Bible
Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law.

NET Bible
When there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but the one who keeps the law, blessed is he!

New Heart English Bible
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but he who keeps the law is blessed.

Webster's Bible Translation
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

World English Bible
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the law is blessed.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A people is made naked without a vision, "" And whoever is keeping the Law, O his blessedness!

Young's Literal Translation
Without a Vision is a people made naked, And whoso is keeping the law, O his happiness!

Smith's Literal Translation
In no vision the people shall be unruly: and he watching the law, happy is he.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
When prophecy shall fail, the people shall be scattered abroad: but he that keepeth the law is blessed.

Catholic Public Domain Version
When prophecy fails, the people will be scattered. Yet truly, whoever guards the law is blessed.

New American Bible
Without a vision the people lose restraint; but happy is the one who follows instruction.

New Revised Standard Version
Where there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint, but happy are those who keep the law.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When the wicked men multiply, the people are ruined; but he who keeps the law, blessed is he.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In the multitude of the evil ones a people is breached, and he that keeps the law is blessed.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
There shall be no interpreter to a sinful nation: but he that observes the law is blessed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Stiff-Necked will Be Destroyed
17Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul. 18Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law. 19A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond.…

Cross References
Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.

Amos 8:11-12
Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. / People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.

Isaiah 1:1
This is the vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

1 Samuel 3:1
And the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. Now in those days the word of the LORD was rare, and visions were scarce.

Jeremiah 23:16-22
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. / They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The LORD says that you will have peace,’ and to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, ‘No harm will come to you.’ / But which of them has stood in the council of the LORD to see and hear His word? Who has given heed to His word and obeyed it? ...

Ezekiel 7:26
Disaster upon disaster will come, and rumor after rumor. Then they will seek a vision from a prophet, but instruction from the priests will perish, as will counsel from the elders.

Lamentations 2:9
Her gates have sunk into the ground; He has destroyed and shattered their bars. Her king and her princes are exiled among the nations, the law is no more, and even her prophets find no vision from the LORD.

Micah 3:6-7
Therefore night will come over you without visions, and darkness without divination. The sun will set on these prophets, and the daylight will turn black over them. / Then the seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be disgraced. They will all cover their mouths because there is no answer from God.”

2 Chronicles 15:3
For many years Israel has been without the true God, without a priest to instruct them, and without the law.

Isaiah 30:9-11
These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to obey the LORD’s instruction. / They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions. / Get out of the way; turn off the road. Rid us of the Holy One of Israel!”

Matthew 13:14-15
In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

Acts 2:17-18
‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. / Even on My menservants and maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14:6
Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Revelation 1:3
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near.


Treasury of Scripture

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he.

there

1 Samuel 3:1
And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Amos 8:11,12
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: …

perish or is made naked

2 Chronicles 28:19
For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he made Judah naked, and transgressed sore against the LORD.

but

Proverbs 19:16
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

Psalm 19:11
Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Psalm 119:2
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

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Blessed Cast Happiness Happy Keepeth Keeping Keeps Law Naked Perish Prophecy Restraint Revelation Uncontrolled Unrestrained Vision
Proverbs 29
1. observations of public government
15. and of private
22. Of anger, pride, thievery, cowardice and corruption














Where there is no vision
The Hebrew word for "vision" is "chazon," which refers to divine communication or revelation. In the context of ancient Israel, this would often mean prophetic insight or guidance from God. The absence of such vision implies a lack of divine direction, leading to spiritual and moral disarray. Historically, prophets played a crucial role in guiding the people, and without their vision, society would drift away from God's intended path. This phrase underscores the importance of spiritual leadership and divine guidance in maintaining order and purpose within a community.

the people cast off restraint
The phrase "cast off restraint" comes from the Hebrew word "para," which means to let go, to be unrestrained, or to become lawless. In the absence of divine vision, people tend to follow their own desires, leading to chaos and moral decay. This reflects the biblical theme that without God's guidance, human nature tends toward disorder and sin. The historical context of Israel shows that when the people ignored prophetic warnings, they often fell into idolatry and social injustice, highlighting the necessity of adhering to divine instruction.

but blessed is he who keeps the law
The word "blessed" in Hebrew is "esher," which conveys a sense of happiness, contentment, and well-being. This blessing is contingent upon keeping "the law," or "torah," which refers to God's instructions and commandments. The verse contrasts the chaos of a visionless society with the stability and blessing that come from obedience to God's law. In a conservative Christian perspective, this emphasizes the importance of Scripture as the ultimate guide for life. The historical and scriptural context shows that adherence to God's law brings order, peace, and divine favor, reinforcing the belief that true happiness is found in living according to God's will.

(18) Where there is no vision.--No revelation of God's will (Isaiah 1:1), when God teaches none by His Spirit that they may instruct others. So it was in the evil days of Eli (1Samuel 3:1), and Asa (2Chronicles 15:3).

The people perish.--Or, run wild. (Comp. Hosea 4:6.)

But he that keepeth the law.--The teaching of those whom God has instructed (Comp. Isaiah 1:10.) . . .

Verse 18. - Where there is no vision, the people perish; rather, cast off restraint, become ungovernable, cannot be reined in (Exodus 32:22, 25). "Vision" (chazon), prophecy in its widest sense, denotes the revelation of God's will made through agents, which directed the course of events, and was intended to be coordinate with the supreme secular authority. The prophets were the instructors of the people in Divine things, standing witnesses of the truth and power of religion, teaching a higher than mere human morality. The fatal effect of the absence of such revelation of God's will is stated to be confusion, disorder, and rebellion; the people, uncontrolled, fall into grievous excesses, which nothing but high principles can restrain. We note the licence of Eli's time, when there was no open vision (1 Samuel 3.); in Asa's days, when Israel had long been without a teaching priest (2 Chronicles 15:3); and when the impious Ahaz "made Judah naked" (2 Chronicles 28:19); or when the people were destroyed by reason of lack of knowledge of Divine things (Hosea 4:6). Thus the importance of prophecy in regulating the life and religion of the people is fully acknowledged by the writer, in whose time, doubtless, the prophetical office was in full exercise: but this seems to be the only passage in the book where such teaching is directly mentioned; the instructors and preceptors elsewhere introduced as disseminating the principles of the chochmah being parents, or tutors, or professors, not inspired prophets. But he that keepeth the Law, happy is he! "The Law" (torah) is not merely the written Mosaic Law, but the announcement of God's will by the mouth of his representatives; and the thought is, not the blessedness of those who in a time of anarchy and irreligion keep to the authorized enactments of the Sinaitic legislation, but a contrast between the lawlessness and ruin of a people uninfluenced by religious guidance, and the happy state of those who obey alike the voice of God, whether conveyed in written statutes or by the teaching of living prophets. (For "happy is he," comp. Proverbs 14:21; Proverbs 16:20.) Septuagint, "There shall be no interpreter (ἐξηγητὴς) to a sinful nation, but he that keepeth the Law is most blessed."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Where [there is] no
בְּאֵ֣ין (bə·’ên)
Preposition-b | Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

vision,
חָ֭זוֹן (ḥā·zō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2377: A sight, a dream, revelation, oracle

the people
עָ֑ם (‘ām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

cast off restraint;
יִפָּ֣רַֽע (yip·pā·ra‘)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6544: To loosen, to expose, dismiss, absolve, begin

but blessed [is]
אַשְׁרֵֽהוּ׃ (’aš·rê·hū)
Interjection | third person masculine singular
Strong's 835: Happiness, interjection, how happy!

he who keeps
וְשֹׁמֵ֖ר (wə·šō·mêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

the law.
תּוֹרָ֣ה (tō·w·rāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no revelation the people (Prov. Pro Pr)
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