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 run away even when no one is chasing them, but the good have the trusting boldness of lions.
2When a country is in rebellion, it has many rulers, but a ruler who is wise and knowledgeable provides strength and continuity.
3When someone poor oppresses the poor, it's like heavy rain that beats down the crops.
4People who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law fight against them.
5Evil people understand nothing about justice, but those who follow the Lord understand it completely.
6Better to be poor and have integrity than to be devious and rich.
7If you keep the law, you're a wise son, but if you keep bad company#28:7 “Bad company”: literally, “a companion of gluttons.” you shame your father.
8Anyone who gets rich through charging interest and profiteering is only storing it up for someone who is kind to the poor.
9God hates the prayers of people who disregard the law.
10Those who lead good people astray into evil ways will fall into their own traps, but the innocent will receive a good reward.
11The rich see themselves as wise, but poor people with insight see right through them.
12When good people win, everyone celebrates, but when the wicked come to power, people hide.
13People who hide their sins won't succeed, but those who confess and renounce their sins will be shown kindness.
14Blessed are those who always respect the Lord, but those who are stubborn end up in a lot of trouble.
15A wicked ruler lording it over poor people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.
16An unwise ruler thoroughly extorts his people, but one who refuses to profit illegally will live long.
17Someone guilty of murder will go on running away from it until they die. Don't try and stop them.#28:17. The Hebrew of this verse is unclear.
18If you have integrity, you'll be kept safe, but if you live deviously, you'll fall.
19If you cultivate the land you'll have plenty of food, but if you chase fantasies you'll end up with nothing.
20If you're trustworthy, you'll be richly rewarded; but if you try to get rich quick, you won't go unpunished.
21Showing favoritism isn't good, but some people will do wrong just for a piece of bread.
22Envious people#28:22. “Envious people”: literally “a man with an evil eye.” are in a rush to get rich; they don't realize they'll end up poor.
23Honest criticism is appreciated later far more than flattery.
24A man who robs his father and mother, and says, “It's not a crime,” is one step away from becoming a murderer.#28:24. Literally, “is a partner to a man who destroys.”
25Greedy people stir up trouble, but those who trust in the Lord will be successful.
26People who trust their own minds are foolish, but those who follow wise ways will be kept safe.
27If you give to the poor, you won't be in need; but if you look the other way, you'll have many curses.
28When the wicked come to power, people hide; but when they fall, the good do well.
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Dr. Jonathan Gallagher. Released under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Unported License. Version 4.3. For corrections send email to jonathangallagherfbv@gmail.com