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
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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