Proverbs 29:16
New International Version
When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall.

New Living Translation
When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes, but the godly will live to see their downfall.

English Standard Version
When the wicked increase, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their downfall.

Berean Standard Bible
When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.

King James Bible
When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

New King James Version
When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall.

New American Standard Bible
When the wicked increase, wrongdoing increases; But the righteous will see their downfall.

NASB 1995
When the wicked increase, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall.

NASB 1977
When the wicked increase, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall.

Legacy Standard Bible
When the wicked increase, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall.

Amplified Bible
When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases, But the righteous will see the downfall of the wicked.

Christian Standard Bible
When the wicked increase, rebellion increases, but the righteous will see their downfall.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the wicked increase, rebellion increases, but the righteous will see their downfall.

American Standard Version
When the wicked are increased, transgression increaseth; But the righteous shall look upon their fall.

Contemporary English Version
Crime increases when crooks are in power, but law-abiding citizens will see them fall.

English Revised Version
When the wicked are increased, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall look upon their fall.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When wicked people increase, crime increases, but righteous people will witness their downfall.

Good News Translation
When evil people are in power, crime increases. But the righteous will live to see the downfall of such people.

International Standard Version
As the wicked grow powerful, transgression increases, but the righteous will observe their downfall.

Majority Standard Bible
When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.

NET Bible
When the wicked increase, transgression increases, but the righteous will see their downfall.

New Heart English Bible
When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.

Webster's Bible Translation
When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

World English Bible
When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
In the multiplying of the wicked transgression multiplies, "" And the righteous look on their fall.

Young's Literal Translation
In the multiplying of the wicked transgression multiplieth, And the righteous on their fall do look.

Smith's Literal Translation
In increasing the unjust, transgressions will increase: and the just all look upon their fall.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
When the wicked are multiplied, crimes shall be multiplied: but the just shall see their downfall.

Catholic Public Domain Version
When the impious are multiplied, crimes will be multiplied. But the just shall see their ruin.

New American Bible
When the wicked increase, crime increases; but the just will behold their downfall.

New Revised Standard Version
When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases; but the righteous shall rejoice in their fall.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In the abundance of the evil ones, evil increases, and the righteous will rejoice in their fall.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
When the wicked are increased, transgression increaseth; But the righteous shall gaze upon their fall.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
When the ungodly abound, sins abound: but when they fall, the righteous are warned.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Stiff-Necked will Be Destroyed
15A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. 16When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall. 17Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul.…

Cross References
Psalm 37:10-11
Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. / But the meek will inherit the land and delight in abundant prosperity.

Psalm 37:35-36
I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree, / yet he passed away and was no more; though I searched, he could not be found.

Psalm 92:7
that though the wicked sprout like grass, and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed.

Psalm 94:3-4
How long will the wicked, O LORD, how long will the wicked exult? / They pour out arrogant words; all workers of iniquity boast.

Psalm 94:23
He will bring upon them their own iniquity and destroy them for their wickedness. The LORD our God will destroy them.

Ecclesiastes 8:12-13
Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives long, yet I also know that it will go well with those who fear God, who are reverent in His presence. / Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.

Isaiah 57:20-21
But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck. / “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

Isaiah 3:11
Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.

Jeremiah 12:1-2
Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? / You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts.

Malachi 4:1-3
“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.” / “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall. / Then you will trample the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day I am preparing,” says the LORD of Hosts.

Matthew 13:41-43
The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom every cause of sin and all who practice lawlessness. / And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. / Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 1:52
He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.

Luke 6:24-25
But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. / Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

Luke 12:20-21
But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ / This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”


Treasury of Scripture

When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases: but the righteous shall see their fall.

the wicked

Proverbs 29:2
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

but

Psalm 37:34,36
Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it

Psalm 58:10
The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

Psalm 91:8
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

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Authority Downfall Evil Fall Gaze Increase Increased Increases Increaseth Multiplied Multiplieth Multiplying Power Righteous Sin Thrive Transgression Upright Wicked Wrongdoing
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Authority Downfall Evil Fall Gaze Increase Increased Increases Increaseth Multiplied Multiplieth Multiplying Power Righteous Sin Thrive Transgression Upright Wicked Wrongdoing
Proverbs 29
1. observations of public government
15. and of private
22. Of anger, pride, thievery, cowardice and corruption














When the wicked thrive
The Hebrew word for "wicked" is "רְשָׁעִים" (resha'im), which refers to those who are morally wrong, guilty, or hostile to God. The term "thrive" suggests prosperity or flourishing, indicating a period when those who oppose God's ways seem to succeed. Historically, this has been a recurring theme in the Bible, where the prosperity of the wicked often perplexes the righteous. This phrase sets the stage for a contrast between temporary success and ultimate justice, reminding believers that earthly prosperity is not always a sign of divine favor.

rebellion increases
The Hebrew word for "rebellion" is "פֶּשַׁע" (pesha), which implies transgression or revolt against divine law. The increase of rebellion is a natural consequence when wickedness is unchecked, leading to societal decay and moral chaos. This phrase highlights the danger of allowing evil to flourish, as it emboldens others to defy God's commandments. Historically, periods of moral decline in Israel often followed when leaders and people turned away from God, leading to national calamity.

but the righteous
The term "righteous" in Hebrew is "צַדִּיקִים" (tzaddikim), referring to those who are just, lawful, and in right standing with God. The righteous are those who live according to God's laws and seek to uphold His standards. This phrase introduces a hopeful contrast, emphasizing that despite the temporary success of the wicked, those who remain faithful to God will ultimately be vindicated. The righteous are often portrayed in Scripture as the remnant who uphold God's covenant and are blessed for their faithfulness.

will see their downfall
The Hebrew word for "downfall" is "מַפָּלָה" (mapalah), which means a fall or ruin. This phrase assures believers that the apparent success of the wicked is temporary and that divine justice will prevail. The righteous witnessing the downfall of the wicked serves as a testament to God's sovereignty and justice. Throughout biblical history, God has consistently demonstrated His ability to bring about the downfall of those who oppose Him, reinforcing the message that righteousness ultimately triumphs over wickedness.

(16) But the righteous shall see their fall with joy (Psalm 54:7), having long expected it (ibid, Psalm 73:18, sqq.).

Verse 16. - When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth. The verb rabah is used in both parts of the sentence, and should have been so translated, When the wicked increase, transgression increaseth. Septuagint, "When the godless are many, sins become many." Where the wicked get the upper hand in a community, their evil example is copied, and a lowering of moral tone and a general laxity in conduct prevail (see on ver. 12: comp. also ver. 2; Proverbs 28:12, 28). But the righteous shall see their fall. Retribution shall overtake them, and God's justice shall be vindicated. This the righteous shall witness, and shall rejoice in the vengeance, when his eye shall see its desire upon his enemies (Psalm 54:7; see also Psalm 37:34; Psalm 73:17, etc.). Septuagint (punctuating differently), "But when they (the godless) fall, the righteous become fearful (κατάφοβοι);" they are awestruck at the sudden and grievous fall of sinners.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When the wicked
רְ֭שָׁעִים (rə·šā·‘îm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

thrive,
בִּרְב֣וֹת (bir·ḇō·wṯ)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

rebellion
פָּ֑שַׁע (pā·ša‘)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6588: Transgression

increases;
יִרְבֶּה־ (yir·beh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

but the righteous
וְ֝צַדִּיקִ֗ים (wə·ṣad·dî·qîm)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

will see
יִרְאֽוּ׃ (yir·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

their downfall.
בְּֽמַפַּלְתָּ֥ם (bə·map·pal·tām)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4658: Fall, decadence, a ruin, a carcase


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 29:16 When the wicked increase sin increases (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 29:15
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