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: NLT
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Proverbs 28
28
1 #
Lev. 26:17; Ps. 53:5 The wicked flee when no one pursues,
but #Lev. 26:8; 1 Sam. 17:32the righteous are bold as a lion.
2When a land transgresses, #[1 Kgs. 15:27]; See 1 Kgs. 16:8-28; 2 Kgs. 15:8-15it has many rulers,
but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
its stability will long continue.
3 # [Matt. 18:28] A poor man who oppresses the poor
is a beating rain that leaves no food.
4Those who forsake the law #Ps. 10:3; Rom. 1:32 praise the wicked,
but those who keep the law #[1 Kgs. 18:18, 21; Neh. 13:11, 15; Matt. 3:7; 14:4; Eph. 5:11]strive against them.
5Evil men #Ps. 92:6; [John 12:39, 40] do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord #Ps. 119:100; [John 7:17; 1 Cor. 2:15; James 1:5; 1 John 2:20, 27]understand it completely.
6 # ch. 19:1 Better is a poor man who #ver. 18walks in his integrity
than a rich man who is #ver. 18crooked in his ways.
7The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
but #[ch. 23:20; 29:3]a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8Whoever multiplies his wealth #Ex. 22:25; Lev. 25:36 by interest and profit#28:8 That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor
# See Job 27:17 gathers it for him who is #ch. 14:31generous to the poor.
9If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
even his #[Ps. 109:7]; See ch. 15:8prayer is an abomination.
10Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way
# See Ps. 7:15 will fall into his own pit,
but the blameless #[Matt. 6:33]will have a goodly inheritance.
11A rich man is wise in his #ch. 26:5, 16 own eyes,
but a poor man who has understanding #Job 13:9will find him out.
12When #ch. 11:10 the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
but when #ver. 28; [ch. 29:2; Eccles. 10:5, 6]the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
13Whoever #[Job 31:33; Ps. 32:3]; See 1 John 1:8-10 conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who #Ps. 32:5; 1 John 1:9confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14Blessed is the one who #ch. 23:17; Isa. 66:2; Phil. 2:12 fears the Lord#28:14 Hebrew lacks the Lord always,
but whoever #See Ps. 95:8hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15Like #ch. 19:12; 1 Pet. 5:8 a roaring lion or #[2 Kgs. 2:24] a charging bear
is #[Ex. 1:14, 16, 22; Matt. 2:16]a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16A ruler who #See ch. 6:32lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17If one is burdened with #[Gen. 9:6]the blood of another,
he will be a fugitive until death;#28:17 Hebrew until the pit
let no one help him.
18 # [ch. 3:23; 10:9] Whoever #ver. 6walks in integrity will be delivered,
but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.
19 # ch. 12:11 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20A faithful man will abound with blessings,
but whoever hastens to be rich #ch. 16:5will not go unpunished.
21To show #See ch. 18:5 partiality is not good,
but for #Ezek. 13:19a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22A #See ch. 23:6 stingy man#28:22 Hebrew A man whose eye is evil #[ver. 20] hastens after wealth
and does not know that #ch. 22:16poverty will come upon him.
23Whoever #ch. 27:5, 6 rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
than #ch. 29:5he who flatters with his tongue.
24Whoever robs his father or his mother
and says, “That is no transgression,”
is #[ch. 18:9]a companion to a man who destroys.
25A greedy man #See ch. 15:18 stirs up strife,
but the one who trusts in the Lord will #ch. 11:25; 13:4be enriched.
26Whoever #[1 Cor. 3:18]trusts in his own mind is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
27Whoever #[ch. 11:24]; See ch. 19:17 gives to the poor will not want,
but he who #[ch. 29:7]hides his eyes will get many a curse.
28When #See ver. 12 the wicked rise, #Job 24:4people hide themselves,
but when they perish, the righteous increase.
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