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
1#Lev 26:17; Ps 53:5 The wicked flee when no man pursues,
but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;
but by a man of understanding and knowledge, it shall be prolonged.
3A poor man who oppresses the poor
is like a sweeping rain that leaves no food.
4#1Ki 18:18; Mt 3:7 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
but such as keep instruction contend with them.
5#Ps 92:6; Jn 7:17 Evil men do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord understand all things.
6#Pr 19:1; 28:18 Better is the poor who walks in his uprightness
than he who is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7#Pr 29:3 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son,
but he who is a companion of riotous men shames his father.
8#Lev 25:36; Pr 13:22 He who by usury and unjust gain increases his substance
will gather it for him who will pity the poor.
9#Ps 109:7; Pr 15:8 He who turns away his ear from hearing instruction,
even his prayer will be an abomination.
10#Pr 26:27; Mt 6:33 Whoever causes the righteous to go astray in an evil way,
he himself will fall into his own pit;
but the upright will have good things in possession.
11#Pr 26:16 The rich man is wise in his own conceit,
but the poor who has understanding searches him out.
12#Pr 11:10; 29:2 When righteous men rejoice, there is great glory;
but when the wicked rise, a man hides himself.
13#Job 31:33; Ps 32:3–5 He who covers his sins will not prosper,
but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
14#Pr 23:17; Isa 66:2 Happy is the man who always fears,
but he who hardens his heart will fall into mischief.
15#Mt 2:16; 1Pe 5:8 As a roaring lion and a charging bear,
so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16#Isa 3:12 The prince who lacks understanding is also a great oppressor,
but he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.
17#Ge 9:6; Ex 21:14 A man burdened with bloodshed of any person
will flee until death;
let no man help him.
18#Pr 10:9; 28:6 Whoever walks uprightly will be saved,
but he who is perverse in his ways will fall at once.
19#Pr 12:11 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows after vain things will have poverty enough.
20#Pr 28:22; 13:11 A faithful man will abound with blessings,
but he who makes haste to be rich will not be innocent.
21#Eze 13:19; Pr 18:5 To show partiality is not good,
because for a morsel of bread that man will transgress.
22#Pr 23:6; 28:20 He who hastens to be rich has an evil eye,
and does not consider that poverty will come upon him.
23#Pr 27:5–6 He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward
than he who flatters with the tongue.
24#Pr 18:9; 19:26 Whoever robs his father or his mother
and says, “It is no transgression,”
the same is the companion of a destroyer.
25#Pr 11:25; 15:18 He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,
but he who puts his trust in the Lord will prosper.
26#Pr 3:5 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.
27#Pr 19:17; Dt 15:7 He who gives to the poor will not lack,
but he who hides his eyes will have many a curse.
28#Pr 28:12; Job 24:4 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves;
but when they perish, the righteous increase.
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