Proverbs 28
28
The Law of God makes sense
1Wicked people run away
when no one chases them,
but those who live right
are as brave as lions.
2In time of civil war
there are many leaders,
but a sensible leader
restores law and order.#28.2 but…order: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
3When someone poor takes over
and ill-treats the poor,
it's like a heavy rain
destroying the crops.
4Lawbreakers praise criminals,
but law-abiding citizens
always oppose them.
5Criminals don't know
what justice means,
but all who respect the LORD
understand it completely.
6It's better to be poor
and live right,
than to be rich
and dishonest.
7It makes good sense
to obey the Law of God,
but you disgrace your parents
if you make friends
with worthless nobodies.
8If you make money by charging
high interest rates,
you will lose it all to someone
who cares for the poor.
9God cannot stand the prayers
of anyone who disobeys
his Law.
10By leading good people to sin,
you dig a pit for yourself,
but all who live right
will have a bright future.
11The rich think highly
of themselves,
but anyone poor and sensible
sees right through them.
12When an honest person wins,
it's time to celebrate;
when crooks are in control,
it's best to hide.
13If you don't confess your sins,
you will be a failure.
But God will be merciful
if you confess your sins
and give them up.
14The LORD blesses everyone
who is afraid to do evil,
but if you are cruel,
you will end up in trouble.
15A ruler who ill-treats the poor
is like a roaring lion
or a bear hunting for food.
16A heartless leader is a fool,
but anyone who refuses
to get rich by cheating others
will live a long time.
17Don't give help to murderers!
Make them stay on the run
for as long as they live.#28.17 live: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 17.
18Honesty will keep you safe,
but everyone who is crooked
will suddenly fall.
19Work hard, and you will have
a lot of food;
waste time, and you will have
a lot of trouble.
20God blesses his loyal people,
but punishes all who want
to get rich quick.
21It isn't right to be unfair,
but some people can be bribed
with only a piece of bread.
22Don't be selfish
and eager to get rich—
you will end up worse off
than you can imagine.
23Honest correction
is appreciated
more than flattery.
24If you cheat your parents
and don't think it's wrong,
you are a common thief.
25Selfish people cause trouble,
but you will live a full life
if you trust the LORD.
26Only fools would trust
what they alone think,
but if you live by wisdom,
you will do all right.
27Giving to the poor
will keep you from poverty,
but if you close your eyes
to their needs,
everyone will curse you.
28When crooks are in control,
everyone tries to hide,
but when they lose power,
good people are everywhere.
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© British and Foreign Bible Society 2012
Proverbs 28
28
1The #Lev. 26:17, 36; Ps. 53:5wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
2Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;
But by a man of understanding and knowledge
Right will be prolonged.
3#Matt. 18:28A poor man who oppresses the poor
Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.
4#Ps. 49:18; Rom. 1:32Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
#1 Kin. 18:18; Neh. 13:11, 15; Matt. 3:7; 14:4; Eph. 5:11But such as keep the law contend with them.
5#Ps. 92:6; Is. 6:9; 44:18Evil men do not understand justice,
But #Ps. 119:100; Prov. 2:9; John 17:17; 1 Cor. 2:15; (1 John 2:20, 27)those who seek the Lord understand all.
6Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,
But a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion
Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.
9One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
#Ps. 66:18; 109:7; Prov. 15:8Even his prayer is an abomination.
10#Ps. 7:15; Prov. 26:27Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,
He himself will fall into his own pit;
#(Matt. 6:33; Heb. 6:12; 1 Pet. 3:9)But the blameless will inherit good.
11The rich man is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding searches him out.
12When the righteous rejoice, there is great #Prov. 11:10; 29:2glory;
But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves.
13#Ps. 32:3–5; 1 John 1:8–10He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
14Happy is the man who is always reverent,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15#Prov. 19:12; 1 Pet. 5:8Like a roaring lion and a charging bear
#Ex. 1:14; Prov. 29:2; Matt. 2:16Is a wicked ruler over poor people.
16A ruler who lacks understanding is a great #Eccl. 10:16; Is. 3:12oppressor,
But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.
17#Gen. 9:6A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit;
Let no one help him.
18Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved,
But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
19#Prov. 12:11; 20:13He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!
20A faithful man will abound with blessings,
#Prov. 13:11; 20:21; 23:4; 1 Tim. 6:9But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
21#Prov. 18:5To show partiality is not good,
#Ezek. 13:19Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.
22A man with an evil eye hastens after riches,
And does not consider that #Prov. 21:5poverty will come upon him.
23#Prov. 27:5, 6He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward
Than he who flatters with the tongue.
24Whoever robs his father or his mother,
And says, “It is no transgression,”
The same #Prov. 18:9is companion to a destroyer.
25#Prov. 13:10He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,
#Prov. 29:25; 1 Tim. 6:6But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.
26He who #Prov. 3:5trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.
27#Deut. 15:7; Prov. 19:17; 22:9He who gives to the poor will not lack,
But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.
28When the wicked arise, #Job 24:4men hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.
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The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.