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.
Currently Selected:
Proverbs 28: CEV
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 28
28
1Evil people run even though no one is chasing them.
But good people are as brave as a lion.
2When a country is disobedient, it has one ruler after another.
But when it is led by a man with understanding and knowledge, it continues strong.
3Rulers who are cruel to the poor
are like a hard rain that destroys the crops.
4People who disobey what they have been taught praise the wicked.
But those who obey what they have been taught are against the wicked.
5Evil people do not understand fairness.
But those who follow the Lord understand it completely.
6It is better to be poor and innocent
than to be rich and wicked.
7The son who obeys what he has been taught
shows he is wise.
But the son who makes friends with those who have no self-control
disgraces his father.
8Some people get rich by overcharging others.
But their wealth will be given to those who are kind to the poor.
9If you refuse to obey what you have been taught,
your prayers will not be heard.
10Those who lead honest people to do wrong
will be ruined by their own evil.
But the innocent will be rewarded with good things.
11A rich man may think he is wise.
But a poor man who has understanding knows the rich man is wrong.
12When good people win, there is great happiness.
But when the wicked get power, everybody hides.
13If you hide your sins, you will not succeed.
If you confess and reject them, you will receive mercy.
14Those who always respect the Lord will be happy.
But those who are stubborn will get into trouble.
15A wicked ruler is as dangerous to poor people
as a roaring lion or a charging bear.
16A ruler who is cruel does not have wisdom.
But the one who hates money taken dishonestly will live a long time.
17A man who is guilty of murder
will run until he dies.
So do not stop him.
18Innocent people will be kept safe.
But those who are dishonest will suddenly be ruined.
19The person who works his land will have plenty of food.
But the one who chases useless dreams instead will end up very poor.
20A truthful man will have many blessings.
But those eager to get rich will be punished.
21It is not good for a judge to take sides.
But some will sin for just a piece of bread.
22A selfish person is in a hurry to get rich.
He does not realize his selfishness will make him poor.
23Those who correct others will later be liked
more than those who give false praise.
24Some people rob their fathers or mothers
and say, “It’s not wrong.”
Such people are just like those who destroy things.
25A greedy person causes trouble.
But the one who trusts the Lord will succeed.
26The person who trusts in himself is foolish.
But the person who lives wisely will be kept safe.
27The person who gives to the poor will have everything he needs.
But the one who ignores the poor will have many curses put on him.
28When the wicked get power, everybody hides.
But when the wicked die, the good people do well.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Copyright © 2015 by Tommy Nelson™, a Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.