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 flee when no one is pursuing them, # Lv 26:17; Ps 53:5
but the righteous are as bold as a lion. # Eph 6:19-20
2When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers, # 1Kg 16:8-28; 2Kg 15:8-15
but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.
3A destitute leader # LXX reads A wicked man who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no food. # Ex 9:25
4Those who reject the law praise the wicked, # Rm 1:32
but those who keep the law battle against them. # 1Kg 18:18; Neh 13:11,15; Mt 3:7; 14:4; Eph 5:11
5Evil men do not understand justice, # Ps 92:6
but those who seek the Lord understand everything. # Ps 119:100; Jn 7:17; 1Co 2:15; Jms 1:5; 1Jn 2:20,27
6Better a poor man who lives with integrity # Pr 19:1; 20:7
than a rich man who distorts right and wrong. # Lit who twists two ways # Pr 16:8,19; 19:22; Is 5:20
7A discerning son keeps the law,
but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father. # Dt 21:20; Pr 17:25; 23:20; 29:3
8Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest # Ex 22:25; Lv 25:36
collects it for one who is kind to the poor. # Jb 27:17; Pr 13:22; Ec 2:26; Ezk 18:13,17
9Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law —
even his prayer is detestable. # Ps 109:7; Pr 15:8,29; 21:27
10The one who leads the upright into an evil way
will fall into his own pit, # Ps 7:15; Pr 16:29; 26:27; Mt 18:6
but the blameless will inherit what is good. # Mt 5:6
11A rich man is wise in his own eyes,
but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.
12When the righteous triumph,
there is great rejoicing, # Lit glory
but when the wicked come to power,
people hide themselves. # Pr 11:10; 28:28; 29:2; Ec 10:5-6
13The one who conceals his sins
will not prosper, # Jb 31:33; Ps 32:3
but whoever confesses and renounces them
will find mercy. # Ps 32:5; Jms 5:16; 1Jn 1:9
14Happy is the one who is always reverent, # 2Ch 19:7; Pr 23:17
but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble. # Ps 95:8
15A wicked ruler over a helpless people # Ex 1:14; Pr 29:2; Mt 2:16
is like a roaring lion or a charging bear. # Pr 19:12; 1Pt 5:8
16A leader who lacks understanding
is very oppressive,
but one who hates dishonest profit
prolongs his life. # 1Kg 12:1-19; Ps 15:5; Pr 15:27
17A man burdened by bloodguilt # Lit the blood of a person
will be a fugitive until death. # Gn 4:14; 9:6; Ex 21:14
Let no one help him. # Nm 35:31
18The one who lives with integrity will be helped,
but one who distorts right and wrong # Lit who is twisted regarding two ways
will suddenly fall. # Pr 2:7; 10:9; 20:7
19The one who works his land
will have plenty of food, # Pr 24:27
but whoever chases fantasies
will have his fill of poverty. # Pr 1:31; 12:11,14; 14:14
20A faithful man will have many blessings, # Pr 10:6; Mt 25:21
but one in a hurry to get rich # Pr 20:21; 28:22; 1Tm 6:9
will not go unpunished.
21It is not good to show partiality # Pr 18:5; 24:23 —
yet a man may sin for a piece of bread. # Ezk 13:19
22A greedy man # Lit A man with an evil eye is in a hurry for wealth;
he doesn’t know that poverty will come to him. # Pr 13:11; 20:21; 21:5; 22:16
23One who rebukes a person will later find more favor # Pr 27:5-6
than one who flatters # Lit is smooth with his tongue. # Pr 26:28; 29:5
24The one who robs his father or mother # Pr 19:6
and says, “That’s no sin,” # Pr 30:20; Mk 7:11
is a companion to a man who destroys. # Pr 18:9
25A greedy person provokes conflict, # Pr 15:18
but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper. # Ps 37:3-5; Pr 3:5-6; Jr 17:7-8
26The one who trusts in himself # Lit his heart is a fool,
but one who walks in wisdom will be safe. # Pr 3:5-7
27The one who gives to the poor
will not be in need,
but one who turns his eyes away # Lit who shuts his eyes
will receive many curses. # Pr 11:24; 19:17; 22:16
28When the wicked come to power,
people hide,
but when they are destroyed,
the righteous flourish. # Pr 28:12; 29:2
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