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 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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