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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Learn More About The Passion TranslationProverbs 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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