Proverbs 29:18 - Revelation and Behavior

Prov 29:18 (KJV)  Where there is no vision, the people perish:
but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Prov 29:18 (NIV)  Where there is no revelation, the people cast
off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.

Prov 29:18 (NCV)  Where there is no word from God, people are
uncontrolled, but those who obey what they have been taught are happy.

Prov 29:18 (TEV)  A nation without God's guidance is a nation
without order.  Happy is the man who keeps God's law!

Prov 29:18 (TLB)  Where there is ignorance of God, crime runs
wild; but what a wonderful thing it is for a nation to know and keep
his laws.

The KJV has led many to misinterpret this verse. vision--does not
mean the ability to formulate goals and plans, but "God's revelation"
(NIV). [Jamieson, Fausset, And Brown Commentary]

Vision. i.e., prophetic revelation. Without prophetic revelation
from God, people are unrestrained and fall under judgment. [Ryrie
SB]

"Vision" refers to words from God received by prophets. Where
there is ignorance of God, crime and sin run wild. Public morality
depends on the knowledge of God, but it also depends on keeping God's
laws. In order for both nations and individuals to function well,
people must know God's ways and keep his rules. [Life Application SB]

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. [Matthew Henry
Commentary]

"Where there is no vision . . . ." When once we lose sight of
God, we begin to be reckless, we cast off certain restraints, we cast
off praying, we cast off the vision of God in little things, and
begin to act on our own initiative. If we are eating what we have out
of our own hand, doing things on our own initiative without
expecting God to come in, we are on the downward path, we have lost the
vision. Is our attitude to-day an attitude that springs from our vision
of God? Are we expecting God to do greater things than He has ever
done? Is there a freshness and vigour in our spiritual outlook.
[Chambers, Oswald, My Utmost for His Highest]