Chapter
Verse

Proverbs 29:18

ESV Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
NIV Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction.
NASB Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is one who keeps the Law.
CSB Without revelation people run wild, but one who follows divine instruction will be happy.
NLT When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.
KJV Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

What does Proverbs 29:18 mean?

This verse emphasizes the extraordinary value of God's Word. Before the Bible was complete, God revealed His will through prophets. They communicated God's messages to the people. Solomon observes that the absence of divine revelation leads to moral and spiritual decline. Other lessons in the book of Proverbs point out the dangers which come with rejecting godly wisdom (Proverbs 3:1–2; 8:32–36).

Without divine revelation people follow the dictates of their sinful nature. Instead of society experiencing calm, society wallows in chaos. This happened in the era of the Judges. First Samuel 3:1 tells us, "And the word of the Lᴏʀᴅ was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision." Judges 21:25 reports that in the times of the judges, "There was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Invariably, when people do whatever they prefer, they do what is wrong according to the Lord's will. Today, as in all times throughout history, the culture needs to know what is acceptable to God; the Bible supplies the information.
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