Proverbs 28
28
1Evil people run even though no one is chasing them,
but good people are as brave as a lion.
2When a country is lawless, it has one ruler after another;
but when it is led by a leader with understanding and knowledge, it continues strong.
3Rulers who mistreat the poor
are like a hard rain that destroys the crops.
4Those who disobey what they have been taught praise the wicked,
but those who obey what they have been taught are against them.
5Evil people do not understand justice,
but those who follow the Lord understand it completely.
6It is better to be poor and innocent
than to be rich and wicked.
7Children who obey what they have been taught are wise,
but friends of troublemakers disgrace their parents.
8Some people get rich by overcharging others,
but their wealth will be given to those who are kind to the poor.
9If you refuse to obey what you have been taught,
your prayers will not be heard.
10Those who lead good people to do wrong
will be ruined by their own evil,
but the innocent will be rewarded with good things.
11Rich people may think they are wise,
but the poor with understanding will prove them wrong.
12When good people triumph, there is great happiness,
but when the wicked get control, everybody hides.
13If you hide your sins, you will not succeed.
If you confess and reject them, you will receive mercy.
14Those who are always respectful will be happy,
but those who are stubborn will get into trouble.
15A wicked ruler is as dangerous to poor people
as a roaring lion or a charging bear.
16A ruler without wisdom will be cruel,
but the one who refuses to take dishonest money will rule a long time.
17Don’t help those who are guilty of murder;
let them run until they die.
18Innocent people will be kept safe,
but those who are dishonest will suddenly be ruined.
19Those who work their land will have plenty of food,
but the ones who chase empty dreams instead will end up poor.
20A truthful person will have many blessings,
but those eager to get rich will be punished.
21It is not good for a judge to take sides,
but some will sin for only a piece of bread.
22Selfish people are in a hurry to get rich
and do not realize they soon will be poor.
23Those who correct others will later be liked
more than those who give false praise.
24Whoever robs father or mother
and says, “It’s not wrong,”
is just like someone who destroys things.
25A greedy person causes trouble,
but the one who trusts the Lord will succeed.
26Those who trust in themselves are foolish,
but those who live wisely will be kept safe.
27Whoever gives to the poor will have everything he needs,
but the one who ignores the poor will receive many curses.
28When the wicked get control, everybody hides,
but when they die, good people do well.
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The Holy Bible, New Century Version, Copyright © 2005 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 28
28
1The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them, # Lv 26:17; Ps 53:5
but the righteous are as bold as a lion. # Eph 6:19-20
2When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers, # 1Kg 16:8-28; 2Kg 15:8-15
but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.
3A destitute leader # LXX reads A wicked man who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no food. # Ex 9:25
4Those who reject the law praise the wicked, # Rm 1:32
but those who keep the law battle against them. # 1Kg 18:18; Neh 13:11,15; Mt 3:7; 14:4; Eph 5:11
5Evil men do not understand justice, # Ps 92:6
but those who seek the Lord understand everything. # Ps 119:100; Jn 7:17; 1Co 2:15; Jms 1:5; 1Jn 2:20,27
6Better a poor man who lives with integrity # Pr 19:1; 20:7
than a rich man who distorts right and wrong. # Lit who twists two ways # Pr 16:8,19; 19:22; Is 5:20
7A discerning son keeps the law,
but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father. # Dt 21:20; Pr 17:25; 23:20; 29:3
8Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest # Ex 22:25; Lv 25:36
collects it for one who is kind to the poor. # Jb 27:17; Pr 13:22; Ec 2:26; Ezk 18:13,17
9Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law —
even his prayer is detestable. # Ps 109:7; Pr 15:8,29; 21:27
10The one who leads the upright into an evil way
will fall into his own pit, # Ps 7:15; Pr 16:29; 26:27; Mt 18:6
but the blameless will inherit what is good. # Mt 5:6
11A rich man is wise in his own eyes,
but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.
12When the righteous triumph,
there is great rejoicing, # Lit glory
but when the wicked come to power,
people hide themselves. # Pr 11:10; 28:28; 29:2; Ec 10:5-6
13The one who conceals his sins
will not prosper, # Jb 31:33; Ps 32:3
but whoever confesses and renounces them
will find mercy. # Ps 32:5; Jms 5:16; 1Jn 1:9
14Happy is the one who is always reverent, # 2Ch 19:7; Pr 23:17
but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble. # Ps 95:8
15A wicked ruler over a helpless people # Ex 1:14; Pr 29:2; Mt 2:16
is like a roaring lion or a charging bear. # Pr 19:12; 1Pt 5:8
16A leader who lacks understanding
is very oppressive,
but one who hates dishonest profit
prolongs his life. # 1Kg 12:1-19; Ps 15:5; Pr 15:27
17A man burdened by bloodguilt # Lit the blood of a person
will be a fugitive until death. # Gn 4:14; 9:6; Ex 21:14
Let no one help him. # Nm 35:31
18The one who lives with integrity will be helped,
but one who distorts right and wrong # Lit who is twisted regarding two ways
will suddenly fall. # Pr 2:7; 10:9; 20:7
19The one who works his land
will have plenty of food, # Pr 24:27
but whoever chases fantasies
will have his fill of poverty. # Pr 1:31; 12:11,14; 14:14
20A faithful man will have many blessings, # Pr 10:6; Mt 25:21
but one in a hurry to get rich # Pr 20:21; 28:22; 1Tm 6:9
will not go unpunished.
21It is not good to show partiality # Pr 18:5; 24:23 —
yet a man may sin for a piece of bread. # Ezk 13:19
22A greedy man # Lit A man with an evil eye is in a hurry for wealth;
he doesn’t know that poverty will come to him. # Pr 13:11; 20:21; 21:5; 22:16
23One who rebukes a person will later find more favor # Pr 27:5-6
than one who flatters # Lit is smooth with his tongue. # Pr 26:28; 29:5
24The one who robs his father or mother # Pr 19:6
and says, “That’s no sin,” # Pr 30:20; Mk 7:11
is a companion to a man who destroys. # Pr 18:9
25A greedy person provokes conflict, # Pr 15:18
but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper. # Ps 37:3-5; Pr 3:5-6; Jr 17:7-8
26The one who trusts in himself # Lit his heart is a fool,
but one who walks in wisdom will be safe. # Pr 3:5-7
27The one who gives to the poor
will not be in need,
but one who turns his eyes away # Lit who shuts his eyes
will receive many curses. # Pr 11:24; 19:17; 22:16
28When the wicked come to power,
people hide,
but when they are destroyed,
the righteous flourish. # Pr 28:12; 29:2
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