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 disobedient, it has one ruler after another.
But when it is led by a man with understanding and knowledge, it continues strong.
3Rulers who are cruel to the poor
are like a hard rain that destroys the crops.
4People who disobey what they have been taught praise the wicked.
But those who obey what they have been taught are against the wicked.
5Evil people do not understand fairness.
But those who follow the Lord understand it completely.
6It is better to be poor and innocent
than to be rich and wicked.
7The son who obeys what he has been taught
shows he is wise.
But the son who makes friends with those who have no self-control
disgraces his father.
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 honest people to do wrong
will be ruined by their own evil.
But the innocent will be rewarded with good things.
11A rich man may think he is wise.
But a poor man who has understanding knows the rich man is wrong.
12When good people win, there is great happiness.
But when the wicked get power, everybody hides.
13If you hide your sins, you will not succeed.
If you confess and reject them, you will receive mercy.
14Those who always respect the Lord 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 who is cruel does not have wisdom.
But the one who hates money taken dishonestly will live a long time.
17A man who is guilty of murder
will run until he dies.
So do not stop him.
18Innocent people will be kept safe.
But those who are dishonest will suddenly be ruined.
19The person who works his land will have plenty of food.
But the one who chases useless dreams instead will end up very poor.
20A truthful man 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 just a piece of bread.
22A selfish person is in a hurry to get rich.
He does not realize his selfishness will make him poor.
23Those who correct others will later be liked
more than those who give false praise.
24Some people rob their fathers or mothers
and say, “It’s not wrong.”
Such people are just like those who destroy things.
25A greedy person causes trouble.
But the one who trusts the Lord will succeed.
26The person who trusts in himself is foolish.
But the person who lives wisely will be kept safe.
27The person who gives to the poor will have everything he needs.
But the one who ignores the poor will have many curses put on him.
28When the wicked get power, everybody hides.
But when the wicked die, the good people do well.
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Copyright © 2015 by Tommy Nelson™, a Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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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