Proverbs 28
28
1The wicked run when no one is chasing them, but an honest person is as brave as a lion.
2When a nation sins, it will have one ruler after another. But a nation will be strong and endure when it has intelligent, sensible leaders.
3Someone in authority who oppresses poor people is like a driving rain that destroys the crops.
4If you have no regard for the law, you are on the side of the wicked; but if you obey it, you are against them.
5Evil people do not know what justice is, but those who worship the LORD understand it well.
6Better to be poor and honest than rich and dishonest.
7A young man who obeys the law is intelligent. One who makes friends with good-for-nothings is a disgrace to his father.
8If you get rich by charging interest and taking advantage of people, your wealth will go to someone who is kind to the poor.
9If you do not obey the law, God will find your prayers too hateful to hear.
10If you trick an honest person into doing evil, you will fall into your own trap.
The innocent will be well rewarded.
11Rich people always think they are wise, but a poor person who has insight into character knows better.
12When good people come to power, everybody celebrates, but when bad people rule, people stay in hiding.
13You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you.
14Always obey the LORD and you will be happy. If you are stubborn, you will be ruined.
15Poor people are helpless against a wicked ruler; he is as dangerous as a growling lion or a prowling bear.
16A ruler without good sense will be a cruel tyrant. One who hates dishonesty will rule a long time.
17Someone guilty of murder is digging his own grave as fast as he can. Don't try to stop him.
18Be honest and you will be safe. If you are dishonest, you will suddenly fall.
19A hard-working farmer has plenty to eat. People who waste time will always be poor.
20Honest people will lead a full, happy life. But if you are in a hurry to get rich, you are going to be punished.
21Prejudice is wrong. But some judges will do wrong to get even the smallest bribe.
22Selfish people are in such a hurry to get rich that they do not know when poverty is about to strike.
23Correct someone, and afterwards he will appreciate it more than flattery.
24Anyone who thinks it isn't wrong to steal from his parents is no better than a common thief.
25Selfishness only causes trouble. You are much better off to trust the LORD.
26It is foolish to follow your own opinions. Be safe, and follow the teachings of wiser people.
27Give to the poor and you will never be in need. If you close your eyes to the poor, many people will curse you.
28People stay in hiding when the wicked come to power. But when they fall from power, the righteous will rule again.
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.
Proverbs 28
28
1 THE WICKED flee when no man pursues them, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous are bold as a lion. [Lev. 26:17, 36; Ps. 53:5.]
2 When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when the ruler is a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge, its stability will long continue.
3 A poor man who oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food [plundering them of their last morsels]. [Matt. 18:28.]
4 Those who forsake the law [of God and man] praise the wicked, but those who keep the law [of God and man] contend with them. [Prov. 29:18.]
5 Evil men do not understand justice, but they who crave and seek the Lord understand it fully. [John 7:17; I Cor. 2:15; I John 2:20, 27.]
6 Better is the poor man who walks in his integrity than he who willfully goes in double and wrong ways, though he is rich.
7 Whoever keeps the law [of God and man] is a wise son, but he who is a companion of gluttons and the carousing, self-indulgent, and extravagant shames his father.
8 He who by charging excessive interest and who by unjust efforts to get gain increases his material possession gathers it for him [to spend] who is kind and generous to the poor. [Job 27:16, 17; Prov. 13:22; Eccl. 2:26.]
9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law [of God and man], even his prayer is an abomination, hateful and revolting [to God]. [Ps. 66:18; 109:7; Prov. 15:8; Zech. 7:11.]
10 Whoever leads the upright astray into an evil way, he will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes and conceit, but the poor man who has understanding will find him out.
12 When the [uncompromisingly] righteous triumph, there is great glory and celebration; but when the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves.
13 He who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sins will obtain mercy. [Ps. 32:3, 5; I John 1:8-10.]
14 Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is the man who reverently and worshipfully fears [the Lord] at all times [regardless of circumstances], but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15 Like a roaring lion or a ravenous and charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is [like a wicked one] a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness and unjust gain shall prolong his days.
17 If a man willfully sheds the blood of a person [and keeps the guilt of murder upon his conscience], he is fleeing to the pit (the grave) and hastening to his own destruction; let no man stop him!
18 He who walks uprightly shall be safe, but he who willfully goes in double and wrong ways shall fall in one of them.
19 He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless people and pursuits will have poverty enough.
20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich [at any cost] shall not go unpunished. [Prov. 13:11; 20:21; 23:4; I Tim. 6:9.]
21 To have respect of persons and to show partiality is not good, neither is it good that man should transgress for a piece of bread.
22 He who has an evil and covetous eye hastens to be rich and knows not that want will come upon him. [Prov. 21:5; 28:20.]
23 He who rebukes a man shall afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, This is no sin–he is in the same class as [an open, lawless robber and] a destroyer.
25 He who is of a greedy spirit stirs up strife, but he who puts his trust in the Lord shall be enriched and blessed.
26 He who leans on, trusts in, and is confident of his own mind and heart is a [self-confident] fool, but he who walks in skillful and godly Wisdom shall be delivered. [James 1:5.]
27 He who gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes [from their want] will have many a curse. [Deut. 15:7; Prov. 19:17; 22:9.]
28 When the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves; but when they perish, the [consistently] righteous increase and become many. [Prov. 28:12.]
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