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 are afraid of everything, but those who live right are as brave as lions.
2A lawless nation will have many bad leaders. But a smart leader will rule for a long time in a land where people obey the law.
3A leader who takes advantage of the poor is like a hard rain that destroys the crops.#28:3 Or “A poor person who takes advantage of beggars is like a hard rain and no food.”
4Those who refuse to obey the law promote evil. Those who obey the law oppose evil.
5The wicked don’t understand justice, but those who love the Lord understand it completely.
6It is better to be poor and honest than rich and evil.
7A smart son obeys the laws, but a son who spends time with worthless people brings shame to his father.
8If you get rich by charging high interest rates, your wealth will go to someone who is kind to the poor.
9When people do not listen to God’s teachings, he does not listen to their prayers.
10Those who plan to hurt good people will fall into their own traps, but good things will happen to those who are good.
11The rich always think they are wise, but a poor person who is wise can see the truth.
12When good people become leaders, everything is great, but when the wicked rise to power, everyone hides.
13Whoever hides their sins will not be successful, but whoever confesses their sins and stops doing wrong will receive mercy.
14People who respect others will be blessed, but stubborn people will have plenty of troubles.
15An evil ruler over those who are helpless is like an angry lion or a charging bear.
16A foolish ruler hurts the people under him, but a ruler who hates wrong will rule for a long time.
17A murderer will never have peace. Don’t support such a person.
18Honest people will be safe, but dishonest people will be ruined.
19Whoever works hard will have plenty to eat, but whoever wastes their time with dreams will always be poor.
20People who can be trusted will have many blessings, but those who are just trying to get rich in a hurry will be punished.
21It is wrong for a judge to support someone simply because he knows them. But some judges will change their decisions for the price of a loaf of bread.
22Selfish people only want to get rich. They do not realize that they are very close to being poor.
23Correct someone, and later they will thank you. That is much better than just saying something to be nice.
24Someone might steal from their parents and say, “I did nothing wrong.” But that person is as bad as an enemy who smashes everything in the house.
25Greedy people might sue you in court, but those who trust the Lord are rewarded.
26It is foolish to be too confident. Those who ask for advice are wise and will escape disaster.
27Whoever gives to the poor will have plenty. Whoever refuses to help them will get nothing but curses.
28When the wicked rise to power, everyone hides. When they are defeated, good people multiply.
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