Proverbs 28
28
1The wicked run when no one is chasing them, but an honest person is as brave as a lion.
2When a nation sins, it will have one ruler after another. But a nation will be strong and endure when it has intelligent, sensible leaders.
3Someone in authority who oppresses poor people is like a driving rain that destroys the crops.
4If you have no regard for the law, you are on the side of the wicked; but if you obey it, you are against them.
5Evil people do not know what justice is, but those who worship the LORD understand it well.
6Better to be poor and honest than rich and dishonest.
7A young man who obeys the law is intelligent. One who makes friends with good-for-nothings is a disgrace to his father.
8If you get rich by charging interest and taking advantage of people, your wealth will go to someone who is kind to the poor.
9If you do not obey the law, God will find your prayers too hateful to hear.
10If you trick an honest person into doing evil, you will fall into your own trap.
The innocent will be well rewarded.
11Rich people always think they are wise, but a poor person who has insight into character knows better.
12When good people come to power, everybody celebrates, but when bad people rule, people stay in hiding.
13You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you.
14Always obey the LORD and you will be happy. If you are stubborn, you will be ruined.
15Poor people are helpless against a wicked ruler; he is as dangerous as a growling lion or a prowling bear.
16A ruler without good sense will be a cruel tyrant. One who hates dishonesty will rule a long time.
17Someone guilty of murder is digging his own grave as fast as he can. Don't try to stop him.
18Be honest and you will be safe. If you are dishonest, you will suddenly fall.
19A hard-working farmer has plenty to eat. People who waste time will always be poor.
20Honest people will lead a full, happy life. But if you are in a hurry to get rich, you are going to be punished.
21Prejudice is wrong. But some judges will do wrong to get even the smallest bribe.
22Selfish people are in such a hurry to get rich that they do not know when poverty is about to strike.
23Correct someone, and afterwards he will appreciate it more than flattery.
24Anyone who thinks it isn't wrong to steal from his parents is no better than a common thief.
25Selfishness only causes trouble. You are much better off to trust the LORD.
26It is foolish to follow your own opinions. Be safe, and follow the teachings of wiser people.
27Give to the poor and you will never be in need. If you close your eyes to the poor, many people will curse you.
28People stay in hiding when the wicked come to power. But when they fall from power, the righteous will rule again.
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Good News Bible with Deuterocanonicals/Apocrypha. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.
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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