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 mistreats 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 mistreats 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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Proverbs 28: CEV
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 28
28
1 The impious flees, though no one pursues. But the just, like a confident lion, shall be without dread.
2 Because of the sins of the land, it has many princes. And because of the wisdom of a man, and the knowledge of those things that are said, the life of the leader shall be prolonged.
3 A poor man slandering the poor is like a violent rainstorm in advance of a famine.
4 Those who abandon the law praise the impious. Those who guard it are inflamed against him.
5 Evil men do not intend judgment. But those who inquire after the Lord turn their souls toward all things.
6 Better is the pauper walking in his simplicity, than the rich walking in ways of depravity.
7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son. But whoever feeds gluttons brings shame to his father.
8 Whoever piles up riches by usury and profit gathers them for him who will give freely to the poor.
9 Whoever turns away his ears from listening to the law: his prayer will be detestable.
10 Whoever deceives the just in a malicious way will fall into his own perdition. And the simple shall possess his goods.
11 The rich one seems wise to himself. But the poor one, being prudent, shall evaluate him.
12 In the exultation of the just, there is great glory. When the impious reign, men are brought to ruin.
13 Whoever hides his crimes will not be guided. But whoever will have confessed and abandoned them shall overtake mercy.
14 Blessed is the man who is ever fearful. Yet truly, whoever is hardened in mind will fall into evil.
15 An impious leader over a poor people is like a roaring lion and a hungry bear.
16 A leader destitute of prudence will oppress many through false accusations. But whoever hates avarice shall prolong his days.
17 A man who slanders the blood of a life, even if he flees to the pit, no one will tolerate him.
18 Whoever walks simply shall be saved. Whoever is perverse in his steps will fall all at once.
19 Whoever works his land shall be satisfied with bread. But whoever pursues leisure will be filled with need.
20 A faithful man shall be greatly praised. But whoever rushes to become rich will not be innocent.
21 Whoever shows favoritism in judgment does not do well; even if it is for a morsel of bread, he forsakes the truth.
22 A man who hurries to become rich, and who envies others, does not know that destitution will overwhelm him.
23 Whoever corrects a man, afterward he shall find favor with him, more so than he who deceives him with a flattering tongue.
24 Whoever takes away anything from his father or mother, and who says, "This is not a sin," is the associate of a murderer.
25 Whoever boasts and enlarges himself stirs up conflicts. Yet truly, whoever trusts in the Lord will be healed.
26 Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool. But whoever treads wisely, the same shall be saved.
27 Whoever gives to the poor shall not be in need. Whoever despises his petition will suffer scarcity.
28 When the impious rise up, men will hide themselves. When they perish, the just shall be multiplied.
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