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
1The wicked flee though no-one pursues,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.
3A ruler#28:3 Or A poor person who oppresses the poor
is like driving rain that leaves no crops.
4Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
but those who heed it resist them.
5Evildoers do not understand what is right,
but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.
6Better the poor whose way of life is blameless
than the rich whose ways are perverse.
7A discerning son heeds instruction,
but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
8Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor
amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.
9If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
even their prayers are detestable.
10Whoever leads the upright along an evil path
will fall into their own trap,
but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.
11The rich are wise in their own eyes;
one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.
12When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;
but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.
13Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.
15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
16A tyrannical ruler practises extortion,
but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.
17Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder
will seek refuge in the grave;
let no-one hold them back.
18The one whose way of life is blameless is kept safe,
but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.#28:18 Syriac (see Septuagint); Hebrew into one
19Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
20A faithful person will be richly blessed,
but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
21To show partiality is not good –
yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22The stingy are eager to get rich
and are unaware that poverty awaits them.
23Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favour
rather than one who has a flattering tongue.
24Whoever robs their father or mother
and says, ‘It’s not wrong,’
is partner to one who destroys.
25The greedy stir up conflict,
but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.
26Those who trust in themselves are fools,
but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
27Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,
but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.
28When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;
but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.
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