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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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 28
28
1The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them,#Lv 26:17; Ps 53:5
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.#Eph 6:19–20
2When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers,#1Kg 16:8–28; 2Kg 15:8–15
but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.
3A destitute leader#28:3 LXX reads A wicked man who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no food.#Ex 9:25
4Those who reject the law praise the wicked,#Rm 1:32
but those who keep the law pit themselves against them.#1Kg 18:18; Neh 13:11,15; Mt 3:7; 14:4; Eph 5:11
5The evil do not understand justice,#Ps 92:6
but those who seek the Lord understand everything.#Ps 119:100; Jn 7:17; 1Co 2:15; Jms 1:5; 1Jn 2:20,27
6Better the poor person who lives with integrity#Pr 19:1; 20:7
than the rich one who distorts right and wrong.#28:6 Lit who twists two ways#Pr 16:8,19; 19:22; Is 5:20
7A discerning son keeps the law,
but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.#Dt 21:20; Pr 17:25; 23:20; 29:3
8Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest#Ex 22:25; Lv 25:36
collects it for one who is kind to the poor.#Jb 27:17; Pr 13:22; Ec 2:26; Ezk 18:13,17
9Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law —
even his prayer is detestable.#Ps 109:7; Pr 15:8,29; 21:27
10The one who leads the upright into an evil way
will fall into his own pit,#Ps 7:15; Pr 16:29; 26:27; Mt 18:6
but the blameless will inherit what is good.#Mt 5:6
11A rich person is wise in his own eyes,
but a poor one who has discernment sees through him.
12When the righteous triumph,
there is great rejoicing,#28:12 Lit glory
but when the wicked come to power,
people hide.#Pr 11:10; 28:28; 29:2; Ec 10:5–6
13The one who conceals his sins
will not prosper,#Jb 31:33; Ps 32:3
but whoever confesses and renounces them
will find mercy.#Ps 32:5; Jms 5:16; 1Jn 1:9
14Happy is the one who is always reverent,#2Ch 19:7; Pr 23:17
but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.#Ps 95:8
15A wicked ruler over a helpless people#Ex 1:14; Pr 29:2; Mt 2:16
is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.#Pr 19:12; 1Pt 5:8
16A leader who lacks understanding
is very oppressive,
but one who hates dishonest profit
prolongs his life.#1Kg 12:1–19; Ps 15:5; Pr 15:27
17Someone burdened by bloodguilt#28:17 Lit the blood of a person
will be a fugitive until death.#Gn 4:14; 9:6; Ex 21:14
Let no one help him.#Nm 35:31
18The one who lives with integrity will be helped,
but one who distorts right and wrong#28:18 Lit who is twisted regarding two ways
will suddenly fall.#Pr 2:7; 10:9; 20:7
19The one who works his land
will have plenty of food,#Pr 24:27
but whoever chases fantasies
will have his fill of poverty.#Pr 1:31; 12:11,14; 14:14
20A faithful person will have many blessings,#Pr 10:6; Mt 25:21
but one in a hurry to get rich#Pr 20:21; 28:22; 1Tm 6:9
will not go unpunished.
21It is not good to show partiality#Pr 18:5; 24:23 —
yet even a courageous person may sin for a piece of bread.#Ezk 13:19
22A greedy one#28:22 Lit A man with an evil eye is in a hurry for wealth;
he doesn’t know that poverty will come to him.#Pr 13:11; 20:21; 21:5; 22:16
23One who rebukes a person will later find more favor#Pr 27:5–6
than one who flatters with his tongue.#Pr 26:28; 29:5
24The one who robs his father or mother#Pr 19:26
and says, “That’s no sin,”#Pr 30:20; Mk 7:11
is a companion to a person who destroys.#Pr 18:9
25A greedy person stirs up conflict,#Pr 15:18
but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper.#Ps 37:3–5; Pr 3:5–6; Jr 17:7–8
26The one who trusts in himself#28:26 Lit his heart is a fool,
but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.#Pr 3:5–7
27The one who gives to the poor
will not be in need,
but one who turns his eyes away#28:27 Lit who shuts his eyes
will receive many curses.#Pr 11:24; 19:17; 22:16
28When the wicked come to power,
people hide,
but when they are destroyed,
the righteous flourish.#Pr 28:12; 29:2
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