Mishlĕ (Proverbs) 28
28
1The wrong shall flee though no one pursues, But the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2Because of transgression of a land, Many are its rulers; But by a man of understanding and knowledge, Right is maintained.
3A poor man who oppresses the poor Is like a sweeping rain that leaves no food.
4Those who forsake the Torah praise the wrong, Those who guard the Torah strive with them.
5Evil men do not understand right-ruling, But those who seek יהוה understand all.
6Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one perverse in his ways, who is rich.
7He who watches over the Torah is a discerning son, But a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8He who increases his possessions by interest and profit Gathers it for him who shows favour to the poor.
9He who turns away his ear from hearing the Torah, Even his prayer is an abomination.#See Pro. 15:29; Isa. 59:1, 2; John 9:31; 1John 3:22
10He who causes the straight to go astray in an evil way, Falls into his own pit; But the perfect inherit the good.
11A rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding searches him out.
12When the righteous exult, there is great comeliness; But when the wrong arise, a man is searched for.
13He who hides his transgressions does not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them finds compassion.
14Blessed is the man who always fears Elohim, But he who hardens his heart falls into evil.
15A roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wrongdoing ruler over poor people.
16A leader who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But the hater of greed prolongs his days.
17A man oppressed by blood-guilt flees into a pit; Let no one help him.
18He who walks blamelessly is saved, But the perverted of ways falls at once.
19He who tills his land is satisfied with bread, But he who pursues vanities is filled with poverty.
20A man of truth has many blessings, But one in a hurry to be rich does not go unpunished.
21To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man would transgress.
22A man with an evil eye runs after wealth, And does not know that poverty awaits him.
23He who reproves a man finds more favour afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue.
24He who robs his father or his mother, And says, “It is no transgression,” He is a companion to a destroyer.
25He who is greedy stirs up strife, But he who trusts in יהוה prospers.
26He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely is delivered.
27He who gives to the poor does not lack, But he who hides his eyes does have many curses.
28When the wrong rise up, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.
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Mishlĕ (Proverbs) 28: TS2009
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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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