Proverbs 28
28
1 The impious flees, though no one pursues. But the just, like a confident lion, shall be without dread.
2 Because of the sins of the land, it has many princes. And because of the wisdom of a man, and the knowledge of those things that are said, the life of the leader shall be prolonged.
3 A poor man slandering the poor is like a violent rainstorm in advance of a famine.
4 Those who abandon the law praise the impious. Those who guard it are inflamed against him.
5 Evil men do not intend judgment. But those who inquire after the Lord turn their souls toward all things.
6 Better is the pauper walking in his simplicity, than the rich walking in ways of depravity.
7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son. But whoever feeds gluttons brings shame to his father.
8 Whoever piles up riches by usury and profit gathers them for him who will give freely to the poor.
9 Whoever turns away his ears from listening to the law: his prayer will be detestable.
10 Whoever deceives the just in a malicious way will fall into his own perdition. And the simple shall possess his goods.
11 The rich one seems wise to himself. But the poor one, being prudent, shall evaluate him.
12 In the exultation of the just, there is great glory. When the impious reign, men are brought to ruin.
13 Whoever hides his crimes will not be guided. But whoever will have confessed and abandoned them shall overtake mercy.
14 Blessed is the man who is ever fearful. Yet truly, whoever is hardened in mind will fall into evil.
15 An impious leader over a poor people is like a roaring lion and a hungry bear.
16 A leader destitute of prudence will oppress many through false accusations. But whoever hates avarice shall prolong his days.
17 A man who slanders the blood of a life, even if he flees to the pit, no one will tolerate him.
18 Whoever walks simply shall be saved. Whoever is perverse in his steps will fall all at once.
19 Whoever works his land shall be satisfied with bread. But whoever pursues leisure will be filled with need.
20 A faithful man shall be greatly praised. But whoever rushes to become rich will not be innocent.
21 Whoever shows favoritism in judgment does not do well; even if it is for a morsel of bread, he forsakes the truth.
22 A man who hurries to become rich, and who envies others, does not know that destitution will overwhelm him.
23 Whoever corrects a man, afterward he shall find favor with him, more so than he who deceives him with a flattering tongue.
24 Whoever takes away anything from his father or mother, and who says, "This is not a sin," is the associate of a murderer.
25 Whoever boasts and enlarges himself stirs up conflicts. Yet truly, whoever trusts in the Lord will be healed.
26 Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool. But whoever treads wisely, the same shall be saved.
27 Whoever gives to the poor shall not be in need. Whoever despises his petition will suffer scarcity.
28 When the impious rise up, men will hide themselves. When they perish, the just shall be multiplied.
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Proverbs 28
28
If You Desert God’s Law
1The wicked are edgy with guilt, ready to run off
even when no one’s after them;
Honest people are relaxed and confident,
bold as lions.
2When the country is in chaos,
everybody has a plan to fix it—
But it takes a leader of real understanding
to straighten things out.
3The wicked who oppress the poor
are like a hailstorm that beats down the harvest.
4If you desert God’s law, you’re free to embrace depravity;
if you love God’s law, you fight for it tooth and nail.
5Justice makes no sense to the evilminded;
those who seek God know it inside and out.
6It’s better to be poor and direct
than rich and crooked.
7Practice God’s law—get a reputation for wisdom;
hang out with a loose crowd—embarrass your family.
8Get as rich as you want
through cheating and extortion,
But eventually some friend of the poor
is going to give it all back to them.
9God has no use for the prayers
of the people who won’t listen to him.
10Lead good people down a wrong path
and you’ll come to a bad end;
do good and you’ll be rewarded for it.
11The rich think they know it all,
but the poor can see right through them.
12When good people are promoted, everything is great,
but when the bad are in charge, watch out!
13You can’t whitewash your sins and get by with it;
you find mercy by admitting and leaving them.
14A tenderhearted person lives a blessed life;
a hardhearted person lives a hard life.
15Lions roar and bears charge—
and the wicked lord it over the poor.
16Among leaders who lack insight, abuse abounds,
but for one who hates corruption, the future is bright.
17A murderer haunted by guilt
is doomed—there’s no helping him.
18Walk straight—live well and be saved;
a devious life is a doomed life.
Doing Great Harm in Seemingly Harmless Ways
19Work your garden—you’ll end up with plenty of food;
play and party—you’ll end up with an empty plate.
20Committed and persistent work pays off;
get-rich-quick schemes are ripoffs.
21Playing favorites is always a bad thing;
you can do great harm in seemingly harmless ways.
22A miser in a hurry to get rich
doesn’t know that he’ll end up broke.
23In the end, serious reprimand is appreciated
far more than bootlicking flattery.
24Anyone who robs father and mother
and says, “So, what’s wrong with that?”
is worse than a pirate.
25A grasping person stirs up trouble,
but trust in God brings a sense of well-being.
26If you think you know it all, you’re a fool for sure;
real survivors learn wisdom from others.
27Be generous to the poor—you’ll never go hungry;
shut your eyes to their needs, and run a gauntlet of curses.
28When corruption takes over, good people go underground,
but when the crooks are thrown out, it’s safe to come out.
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THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of NavPress. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers.