Proverbs 28
28
1The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,
but the godly are as bold as lions.
2When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.
But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.
3A poor person who oppresses the poor
is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.
4To reject the law is to praise the wicked;
to obey the law is to fight them.
5Evil people don’t understand justice,
but those who follow the Lord understand completely.
6Better to be poor and honest
than to be dishonest and rich.
7Young people who obey the law are wise;
those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.#28:7 Hebrew their father.
8Income from charging high interest rates
will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.
9God detests the prayers
of a person who ignores the law.
10Those who lead good people along an evil path
will fall into their own trap,
but the honest will inherit good things.
11Rich people may think they are wise,
but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.
12When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.
When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.
13People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
14Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,#28:14 Or those who fear the Lord; Hebrew reads those who fear.
but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.
15A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor
as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.
16A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people,
but one who hates corruption will have a long life.
17A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave.
Don’t protect him!
18The blameless will be rescued from harm,
but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed.
19A hard worker has plenty of food,
but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.
20The trustworthy person will get a rich reward,
but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.
21Showing partiality is never good,
yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.
22Greedy people try to get rich quick
but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.
23In the end, people appreciate honest criticism
far more than flattery.
24Anyone who steals from his father and mother
and says, “What’s wrong with that?”
is no better than a murderer.
25Greed causes fighting;
trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.
26Those who trust their own insight are foolish,
but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.
27Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,
but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.
28When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.
When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish.
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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#28:3 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 pit themselves against them.#1Kg 18:18; Neh 13:11,15; Mt 3:7; 14:4; Eph 5:11
5The evil 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 the poor person who lives with integrity#Pr 19:1; 20:7
than the rich one who distorts right and wrong.#28:6 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 person is wise in his own eyes,
but a poor one who has discernment sees through him.
12When the righteous triumph,
there is great rejoicing,#28:12 Lit glory
but when the wicked come to power,
people hide.#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
17Someone burdened by bloodguilt#28:17 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#28:18 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 person 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 even a courageous person may sin for a piece of bread.#Ezk 13:19
22A greedy one#28:22 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 with his tongue.#Pr 26:28; 29:5
24The one who robs his father or mother#Pr 19:26
and says, “That’s no sin,”#Pr 30:20; Mk 7:11
is a companion to a person who destroys.#Pr 18:9
25A greedy person stirs up 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#28:26 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#28:27 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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