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
Proverbs 28
1¶ The wicked flee when no man pursues, but the righteous are bold as a young lion.
2¶ By the rebellion of the land, many are its princes, but by the man of understanding and wisdom the land shall remain stable.
3¶ A poor man that oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food.
4¶ Those that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them.
5¶ Evil men do not understand judgment, but those that seek the Lord understand all things.
6¶ Better is the poor that walks in his perfection than he that is perverse in his ways, though he is rich.
7¶ Whosoever keeps the law is a wise son, but he that is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8¶ He that by usury and unjust gain increases his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
9¶ He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
10¶ Whosoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit, but the perfect shall inherit every good thing.
11¶ The rich man is wise in his own conceit, but the poor that has understanding is wiser than he.
12¶ When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, the sane man hides himself.
13¶ He that covers his sins shall not prosper, but whosoever confesses and forsakes them shall attain mercy.
14¶ Blessed is the man that fears God always, but he that hardens his heart shall fall into evil.
15¶ As a roaring lion and a hungry bear, so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16¶ The prince void of intelligence is also a great oppressor, but he that hates covetousness shall prolong his days.
17¶ A man that does violence to the blood of any person shall flee all the way to the grave, and no one shall sustain him.
18¶ Whosoever walks in integrity shall be saved, but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall into one of them.
19¶ He that tills his land shall be filled with bread, but he that follows after vain persons shall be filled with poverty.
20¶ The man of truth shall abound with blessings, but he that makes haste to be rich shall not be absolved.
21¶ To have respect of persons in judgment is not good; even for a piece of bread, man will transgress.
22¶ He that hastens to be rich has an evil eye and does not consider that poverty shall come upon him.
23¶ He that rebukes a man, afterwards shall find more favour than he that flatters with the tongue.
24¶ Whosoever robs his father or his mother and says, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of the destroyer.
25¶ He that is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he that puts his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.
26¶ He that trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whosoever walks in wisdom, he shall be saved.
27¶ He that gives unto the poor shall never lack, but he that hides his eyes from the poor shall have many a curse.
28¶ When the wicked rise, sane men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous multiply.
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The Jubilee Bible 2000 (JUB) by Ransom Press International