Proverbs 28
28
Warnings and Instructions
1The wicked flee when no one pursues them,
But the righteous are as bold as a lion. [Lev 26:17, 36; Ps 53:5]
2When a land does wrong, it has many princes,
But when the ruler is a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability endures.
3A poor man who oppresses and exploits the lowly
Is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food. [Matt 18:28]
4Those who #28:4 Lit forsake.set aside the law [of God and man] praise the wicked,
But those who keep the law [of God and man] struggle with them. [Prov 29:18]
5Evil men do not understand justice,
But they who long for and seek the Lord understand it fully. [John 7:17; 1 Cor 2:15; 1 John 2:20, 27]
6Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than he who is crooked and two-faced though he is rich. [Prov 19:1]
7He who keeps the law [of God and man] is a wise and discerning son,
But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father [and himself].
8He who increases his wealth by interest and usury (excessive interest)
Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor. [Job 27:16, 17; Prov 13:22; Eccl 2:26]
9He who turns his ear away from listening to the law [of God and man],
Even his prayer is repulsive [to God]. [Ps 66:18; 109:7; Prov 15:8; Zech 7:11]
10He who leads the upright astray on an evil path
Will himself fall into his own pit,
But the blameless will inherit good.
11The rich man [who is conceited and relies on his wealth instead of God] is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor man who has understanding [because he relies on God] is able to see through him.
12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory and celebration;
But when the wicked rise [to prominence], men hide themselves.
13He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and #28:13 Lit forsakes.turns away from his sins will find compassion and mercy. [Ps 32:3, 5; 1 John 1:8-10]
14Blessed and favored by God is the man who fears [sin and its consequence] at all times,
But he who hardens his heart [and is determined to sin] will fall into disaster.
15Like a roaring lion and a charging bear
Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding and common sense [and his wickedness shortens his days],
But he who hates unjust gain will [be blessed and] prolong his days.
17A man who is burdened with the guilt of human blood (murder)
Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him or give him refuge.
18He who walks blamelessly and uprightly will be kept safe,
But he who is crooked (perverse) will suddenly fall.
19He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows worthless people and frivolous pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20A faithful (right-minded) man will abound with blessings,
But he who hurries to be rich will not go unpunished. [Prov 13:11; 20:21; 23:4; 1 Tim 6:9]
21To have regard for one person over another and to show favoritism is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.
22He who has an evil and envious eye hurries to be rich
And does not know that poverty will come upon him. [Prov 21:5; 28:20]
23He who [appropriately] reprimands a [wise] man will afterward find more favor
Than he who flatters with the tongue.
24He who robs his father or his mother
And says, “This is no sin,”
Is [not only a thief but also] the companion of a man who destroys.
25An arrogant and greedy man stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the Lord will be blessed and prosper.
26He who trusts confidently in his own heart is a [dull, thickheaded] fool,
But he who walks in [skillful and godly] wisdom will be rescued. [James 1:5]
27He who gives to the poor will never want,
But he who shuts his eyes [from their need] will have many curses. [Deut 15:7; Prov 19:17; 22:9]
28When the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves;
But when the wicked perish, the [consistently] righteous increase and become great. [Prov 28:12]
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Proverbs 28
28
1The wicked run away even though no one pursues them,
but the righteous are as confident as a lion.
2When a land rebels, there are many leaders;
but a person with understanding brings order.
3Poor people who oppress the needy
are rain that washes away food.
4Those who abandon Instruction praise the wicked,
but those who follow Instruction battle them.
5Evil people don’t understand justice,
but those who seek the LORD understand everything.
6Better to be poor and walk in innocence
than to be on crooked paths and wealthy.
7Intelligent children follow Instruction,
but those who befriend gluttons shame their parents.
8Those who become rich through high interest rates
gather money for those who are generous to the poor.
9Those who turn their ears from hearing Instruction—
even their prayers will be detested.
10Whoever misleads those who do right onto an evil path
will fall into their own pit,
but the blameless will inherit good things.
11Rich people think they are wise,
but an insightful poor person sees through them.
12When the righteous rejoice, there is great respect,
but people hide when the wicked prosper.
13Those who hide their sins won’t succeed,
but those who confess and give them up will receive mercy.
14Happy are those who are continually fearful,
but those whose hearts are hard fall into trouble.
15A wicked ruler over the poor
is like a growling lion or a prowling bear.
16A prince without understanding is a cruel oppressor,
but one who hates unjust gain will live long.
17If someone feels guilty about murder,
don’t hold them back from fleeing to the pit.
18Those who walk in innocence will be saved,
but those who go on twisted paths will fall into the grave.
19Those who work the land will have plenty to eat,
but those with worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20Reliable people will have abundant blessings,
but those with get-rich-quick schemes won’t go unpunished.
21Those who show favoritism aren’t good;
people do wrong for a crust of bread.
22The stingy try to get rich fast,
unaware that loss will come to them.
23Those who correct someone will, in the end, find more favor
than those with flattering tongues.
24Those who steal from their father and mother,
and say, “It’s not a crime,”
are friends of vandals.
25Greedy people stir up conflict,
but those who trust the LORD become prosperous.
26Those who trust in their own reasoning are fools,
but those who walk in wisdom will be kept safe.
27Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,
but those who turn a blind eye will be greatly cursed.
28When the wicked rise up, people hide,
but when they are destroyed, the righteous multiply.
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