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
Lovers of God
1Guilty criminals experience paranoia
even though no one threatens them.
But the innocent lovers of God,
because of righteousness,
will have the boldness # 28:1 Or “confidence.” of a young, ferocious lion!
2A rebellious nation is thrown into chaos, # 28:2 Or “A rebellious nation will have one leader after another.”
but leaders anointed with wisdom will restore law and order.
3When a pauper # 28:3 This pauper can also be one who is spiritually poor. Some Jewish expositors believe it refers to corrupt judges. oppresses the destitute,
it’s like a flash flood that sweeps away their last hope.
4Those who turn their backs on what they know is right # 28:4 The Hebrew word is “the Torah.” See vv. 7, 9.
will no longer be able to tell right from wrong.
But those who love the truth strengthen their souls. # 28:4 As translated from the Aramaic. The Septuagint is “build a wall to protect themselves.”
5Justice never makes sense to men devoted to darkness,
but those tenderly devoted to the Lord
can understand justice perfectly.
6It’s more respectable to be poor and pure than rich and perverse.
7To be obedient to what you’ve been taught # 28:7 Or “the Torah.”
proves you’re an honorable child,
but to socialize with the lawless brings shame to your parents.
8Go ahead and get rich on the backs of the poor,
but all the wealth you gather will one day be given
to those who are kind to the needy.
9If you close your heart and refuse to listen to God’s instruction, # 28:9 Or “the Torah.”
even your prayer will be despised.
10Those who tempt the lovers of God with an evil scheme
will fall into their own traps.
But the innocent who resist temptation will experience reward.
11The wealthy in their conceit presume to be wise,
but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.
12The triumphant joy of God’s lovers releases great glory. # 28:12 As translated from the Aramaic.
But when the wicked rise to power, everyone goes into hiding. # 28:12 Or “people become victims.”
13If you cover up your sin you’ll never do well.
But if you confess your sins and forsake them,
you will be kissed by mercy.
14Overjoyed is the one who with tender heart trembles before God,
but the stubborn, unyielding heart will experience even greater evil.
15Ruthless rulers can only be compared
to raging lions and roaming bears. # 28:15 David, before he killed Goliath, went after the lion and the bear. See 1 Sam. 17:34–37. These beasts represented demonic forces of evil over the land. Daniel also mentions the world’s ruthless leaders as lions and bears. See Dan. 7:1–8.
16Abusive leaders fail to employ wisdom,
but leaders who despise corruption # 28:16 Or “injustice.”
will enjoy a long and full life. # 28:16 Or “enjoy a long reign.”
17A murderer’s conscience will torment him—
a fugitive haunted by guilt all the way to the grave
with no one to support him.
18The pure will be rescued from failure,
but the perverse will suddenly fall into ruin.
19Work hard and you’ll have all you desire,
but chase a fantasy # 28:19 Or “an empty dream.” The Septuagint is “the one who pursues leisure.” and you could end up with nothing.
20Life’s blessings drench the honest and faithful person,
but punishment rains down upon the greedy and dishonest.
21Giving favoritism to the rich and powerful is disgusting,
and this is done by the type of judge who would betray a man for a bribe. # 28:21 As translated from the Aramaic.
22A greedy man # 28:22 Both the Aramaic and Hebrew have “The man with an evil eye.” This is a figure of speech for a stingy or greedy man. A person who shuts his heart to the poor is said to have an evil eye. A person with a good eye is someone who looks on the poor with generosity. is in a race to get rich,
but he forgets that he could lose what’s most important
and end up with nothing. # 28:22 As translated from the Aramaic. The Aramaic text sounds very similar to what Jesus says about gaining the world but losing our souls. See Mark 8:36.
23If you correct someone with constructive criticism,
in the end he will appreciate it more than flattery.
24A person who would reject his own parents # 28:24 As translated from the Septuagint. The Hebrew is “the one who steals from his own parents.” and say,
“What’s wrong with that?” is as bad as a murderer.
25To make rash, hasty decisions
shows that you are not trusting the Lord.
But when you rely totally on God,
you will still act carefully and prudently. # 28:25 As translated from the Septuagint. The Hebrew is “The greedy person stirs up trouble, but the one who trusts in the Lord will prosper.”
26Self-confident know-it-alls # 28:26 Or “those who trust their instincts.” will prove to be fools.
But when you lean on the wisdom from above,
you will have a way to escape the troubles of your own making.
27You will never go without if you give to the poor.
But if you’re heartless, stingy, and selfish, # 28:27 Or “if you hide your eyes from the poor.”
you invite curses upon yourself.
28When wicked leaders rise to power,
good people go into hiding.
But when they fall from power,
the godly take their place.
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