Proverbs 28
28
1The wicked are afraid of everything, but those who live right are as brave as lions.
2A lawless nation will have many bad leaders. But a smart leader will rule for a long time in a land where people obey the law.
3A leader who takes advantage of the poor is like a hard rain that destroys the crops.#28:3 Or “A poor person who takes advantage of beggars is like a hard rain and no food.”
4Those who refuse to obey the law promote evil. Those who obey the law oppose evil.
5The wicked don’t understand justice, but those who love the Lord understand it completely.
6It is better to be poor and honest than rich and evil.
7A smart son obeys the laws, but a son who spends time with worthless people brings shame to his father.
8If you get rich by charging high interest rates, your wealth will go to someone who is kind to the poor.
9When people do not listen to God’s teachings, he does not listen to their prayers.
10Those who plan to hurt good people will fall into their own traps, but good things will happen to those who are good.
11The rich always think they are wise, but a poor person who is wise can see the truth.
12When good people become leaders, everything is great, but when the wicked rise to power, everyone hides.
13Whoever hides their sins will not be successful, but whoever confesses their sins and stops doing wrong will receive mercy.
14People who respect others will be blessed, but stubborn people will have plenty of troubles.
15An evil ruler over those who are helpless is like an angry lion or a charging bear.
16A foolish ruler hurts the people under him, but a ruler who hates wrong will rule for a long time.
17A murderer will never have peace. Don’t support such a person.
18Honest people will be safe, but dishonest people will be ruined.
19Whoever works hard will have plenty to eat, but whoever wastes their time with dreams will always be poor.
20People who can be trusted will have many blessings, but those who are just trying to get rich in a hurry will be punished.
21It is wrong for a judge to support someone simply because he knows them. But some judges will change their decisions for the price of a loaf of bread.
22Selfish people only want to get rich. They do not realize that they are very close to being poor.
23Correct someone, and later they will thank you. That is much better than just saying something to be nice.
24Someone might steal from their parents and say, “I did nothing wrong.” But that person is as bad as an enemy who smashes everything in the house.
25Greedy people might sue you in court, but those who trust the Lord are rewarded.
26It is foolish to be too confident. Those who ask for advice are wise and will escape disaster.
27Whoever gives to the poor will have plenty. Whoever refuses to help them will get nothing but curses.
28When the wicked rise to power, everyone hides. When they are defeated, good people multiply.
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© 1987, 2004 Bible League International
Proverbs 28
28
1The wicked run away even though no one pursues them,
but the righteous are as confident as a lion.
2When a land rebels, there are many leaders;
but a person with understanding brings order.
3Poor people who oppress the needy
are rain that washes away food.
4Those who abandon Instruction praise the wicked,
but those who follow Instruction battle them.
5Evil people don’t understand justice,
but those who seek the LORD understand everything.
6Better to be poor and walk in innocence
than to be on crooked paths and wealthy.
7Intelligent children follow Instruction,
but those who befriend gluttons shame their parents.
8Those who become rich through high interest rates
gather money for those who are generous to the poor.
9Those who turn their ears from hearing Instruction—
even their prayers will be detested.
10Whoever misleads those who do right onto an evil path
will fall into their own pit,
but the blameless will inherit good things.
11Rich people think they are wise,
but an insightful poor person sees through them.
12When the righteous rejoice, there is great respect,
but people hide when the wicked prosper.
13Those who hide their sins won’t succeed,
but those who confess and give them up will receive mercy.
14Happy are those who are continually fearful,
but those whose hearts are hard fall into trouble.
15A wicked ruler over the poor
is like a growling lion or a prowling bear.
16A prince without understanding is a cruel oppressor,
but one who hates unjust gain will live long.
17If someone feels guilty about murder,
don’t hold them back from fleeing to the pit.
18Those who walk in innocence will be saved,
but those who go on twisted paths will fall into the grave.
19Those who work the land will have plenty to eat,
but those with worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20Reliable people will have abundant blessings,
but those with get-rich-quick schemes won’t go unpunished.
21Those who show favoritism aren’t good;
people do wrong for a crust of bread.
22The stingy try to get rich fast,
unaware that loss will come to them.
23Those who correct someone will, in the end, find more favor
than those with flattering tongues.
24Those who steal from their father and mother,
and say, “It’s not a crime,”
are friends of vandals.
25Greedy people stir up conflict,
but those who trust the LORD become prosperous.
26Those who trust in their own reasoning are fools,
but those who walk in wisdom will be kept safe.
27Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,
but those who turn a blind eye will be greatly cursed.
28When the wicked rise up, people hide,
but when they are destroyed, the righteous multiply.
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