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.
Mishle 28
28
1The rasha flee when none pursueth; but the tzaddikim are bold as a lion.
2For the peysha eretz (land in rebellion) many are the sarim (rulers) thereof, but by an adam meiven yodei'a (a man of wisdom and knowledge) shall be lasting order.
3A gever rahsh (poor man) that oppresseth the dalim (poor ones) is like a sweeping matar (rain) which leaveth no lechem (food, crop).
4They that forsake the torah praise the rasha, but such as be shomer over the torah contend against them.
5Anshei rah understand not mishpat, but they that seek Hashem understand all things.
6Better is the rahsh (poor) that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his drakhim (ways), though he be rich.
7He who keepeth torah is a ben meiven, but he that is a companion of zolelim (gluttons) shameth aviv.
8He that by neshekh (interest) and increase increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the dalim (poor ones).
9He that turneth away his ozen from mishmo'a torah (heeding torah), even his tefillah (prayer) shall be to'evah (abomination).
10He who causeth the yesharim (upright ones) to go astray in a derech rah, he shall fall himself into his own trap, but the blameless ones shall inherit tov.
11The ish oisher is chacham in his own eyes, but the dal meiven (poor man with understanding) searcheth him out.
12When tzaddikim do triumph, there is rabbah tiferet (great glory), but when the resha'im rise, the people go into hiding.
13He that covereth his peysha'im (sins) shall not prosper, but he who confesseth and forsaketh them shall find mercy.
14Ashrei adam that is reverent always, but he that hardeneth his lev shall fall into ra'ah.
15As a roaring ari, and a charging dov (bear), so is a wicked moshel (ruler) over the am dal (poor people).
16The nagid (ruler) lacking tevunot (understanding) is also a great oppressor, but he that hateth betza (ill-gotten gain) shall prolong his yamim (days).
17If an adam is burdened with dahm (blood, murder) of any nefesh, let him be a fugitive ad bor (till the pit, death); let no ish help him.
18He who walketh tamim (blamelessly) shall be saved, but he that is perverse in his drakhim shall fall suddenly.
19He that tilleth his adamah shall have plenty of lechem, but he that chaseth after empty things shall have poverty enough.
20An ish emunot (faithful man, loyal man) shall abound with birkhot, but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not go unpunished.
21To show partiality is not tov; for a piece of lechem that gever will transgress.
22He that hasteth to be rich hath a rah ayin, and considereth not that want shall come upon him.
23He that rebuketh an adam afterwards shall find more chen (favor) than he that flattereth with the lashon.
24He who robbeth aviv or immo, and saith, It is no peysha (transgression), the same is the chaver (fellow, companion) of an ish mashchit (man of destruction).
25The covetous stirreth up strife, but he that putteth his trust in Hashem shall be prospered.
26He that trusteth in his own lev is a kesil (fool), but he who walketh in chochmah, he shall be delivered.
27He that giveth unto the rahsh (poor) shall not lack, but he that hideth his eynayim meeteth many curses.
28When the resha'im rise, adam hide themselves, but when they perish, the tzaddikim increase.
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