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
The Wicked and the Righteous
1The wicked flee when no man pursueth:
but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2For the transgression of a land
many are the princes thereof:
but by a man of understanding and knowledge
the state thereof shall be prolonged.
3A poor man that oppresseth the poor
is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4They that forsake the law praise the wicked:
but such as keep the law contend with them.
5Evil men understand not judgment:
but they that seek the Lord understand all things.
6Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness,
than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son:
but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
8He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance,
he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law,
even his prayer shall be abomination.
10Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way,
he shall fall himself into his own pit:
but the upright shall have good things in possession.
11The rich man is wise in his own conceit;
but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory:
but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
13He that covereth his sins shall not prosper:
but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
14Happy is the man that feareth always:
but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear;
so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor:
but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit;
let no man stay him.
18Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved:
but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread:
but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
20A faithful man shall abound with blessings:
but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
21To have respect of persons is not good:
for, for a piece of bread that man will transgress.#28.21 for, for a piece of bread that man will transgress or and for a piece of bread man will transgress.
22He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye,
and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
23He that rebuketh a man, afterward shall find more favor
than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24Whoso robbeth his father or his mother,
and saith, It is no transgression;
the same is the companion of a destroyer.
25He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife:
but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.
26He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool:
but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack:
but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves:
but when they perish, the righteous increase.
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King James Version 1611, spelling, punctuation and text formatting modernized by ABS in 1962; typesetting © 2010 American Bible Society.