Proverbs 28
28
1The wicked flee when no man pursueth:
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
2For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof:
But by men of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
3A needy man that oppresseth the poor
Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4They that forsake the law praise the wicked:
But such as keep the law contend with them.
5Evil men understand not judgement:
But they that seek the LORD understand all things.
6Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity,
Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son:
But he that is a companion of gluttonous men shameth his father.
8He that augmenteth his substance by usury and increase,
Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.
9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.
10Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way,
He shall fall himself into his own pit:
But the perfect shall inherit good.
11The rich man is wise in his own conceit;
But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory:
But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper:
But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.
14Happy is the man that feareth alway:
But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear;
So is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor:
But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17A man that is laden with the blood of any person
Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him.
18Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered:
But he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread:
But he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
20A faithful man shall abound with blessings:
But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.
21To have respect of persons is not good:
Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.
22He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches,
And knoweth not that want shall come upon him.
23He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favour
Than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression;
The same is the companion of a destroyer.
25He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife:
But he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
26He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool:
But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack:
But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves:
But when they perish, the righteous increase.
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maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society
Proverbs 28
28
Lovers of God
1Guilty criminals experience paranoia
even though no one threatens them.
But the innocent lovers of God,
because of righteousness,
will have the boldness # 28:1 Or “confidence.” of a young, ferocious lion!
2A rebellious nation is thrown into chaos, # 28:2 Or “A rebellious nation will have one leader after another.”
but leaders anointed with wisdom will restore law and order.
3When a pauper # 28:3 This pauper can also be one who is spiritually poor. Some Jewish expositors believe it refers to corrupt judges. oppresses the destitute,
it’s like a flash flood that sweeps away their last hope.
4Those who turn their backs on what they know is right # 28:4 The Hebrew word is “the Torah.” See vv. 7, 9.
will no longer be able to tell right from wrong.
But those who love the truth strengthen their souls. # 28:4 As translated from the Aramaic. The Septuagint is “build a wall to protect themselves.”
5Justice never makes sense to men devoted to darkness,
but those tenderly devoted to the Lord
can understand justice perfectly.
6It’s more respectable to be poor and pure than rich and perverse.
7To be obedient to what you’ve been taught # 28:7 Or “the Torah.”
proves you’re an honorable child,
but to socialize with the lawless brings shame to your parents.
8Go ahead and get rich on the backs of the poor,
but all the wealth you gather will one day be given
to those who are kind to the needy.
9If you close your heart and refuse to listen to God’s instruction, # 28:9 Or “the Torah.”
even your prayer will be despised.
10Those who tempt the lovers of God with an evil scheme
will fall into their own traps.
But the innocent who resist temptation will experience reward.
11The wealthy in their conceit presume to be wise,
but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.
12The triumphant joy of God’s lovers releases great glory. # 28:12 As translated from the Aramaic.
But when the wicked rise to power, everyone goes into hiding. # 28:12 Or “people become victims.”
13If you cover up your sin you’ll never do well.
But if you confess your sins and forsake them,
you will be kissed by mercy.
14Overjoyed is the one who with tender heart trembles before God,
but the stubborn, unyielding heart will experience even greater evil.
15Ruthless rulers can only be compared
to raging lions and roaming bears. # 28:15 David, before he killed Goliath, went after the lion and the bear. See 1 Sam. 17:34–37. These beasts represented demonic forces of evil over the land. Daniel also mentions the world’s ruthless leaders as lions and bears. See Dan. 7:1–8.
16Abusive leaders fail to employ wisdom,
but leaders who despise corruption # 28:16 Or “injustice.”
will enjoy a long and full life. # 28:16 Or “enjoy a long reign.”
17A murderer’s conscience will torment him—
a fugitive haunted by guilt all the way to the grave
with no one to support him.
18The pure will be rescued from failure,
but the perverse will suddenly fall into ruin.
19Work hard and you’ll have all you desire,
but chase a fantasy # 28:19 Or “an empty dream.” The Septuagint is “the one who pursues leisure.” and you could end up with nothing.
20Life’s blessings drench the honest and faithful person,
but punishment rains down upon the greedy and dishonest.
21Giving favoritism to the rich and powerful is disgusting,
and this is done by the type of judge who would betray a man for a bribe. # 28:21 As translated from the Aramaic.
22A greedy man # 28:22 Both the Aramaic and Hebrew have “The man with an evil eye.” This is a figure of speech for a stingy or greedy man. A person who shuts his heart to the poor is said to have an evil eye. A person with a good eye is someone who looks on the poor with generosity. is in a race to get rich,
but he forgets that he could lose what’s most important
and end up with nothing. # 28:22 As translated from the Aramaic. The Aramaic text sounds very similar to what Jesus says about gaining the world but losing our souls. See Mark 8:36.
23If you correct someone with constructive criticism,
in the end he will appreciate it more than flattery.
24A person who would reject his own parents # 28:24 As translated from the Septuagint. The Hebrew is “the one who steals from his own parents.” and say,
“What’s wrong with that?” is as bad as a murderer.
25To make rash, hasty decisions
shows that you are not trusting the Lord.
But when you rely totally on God,
you will still act carefully and prudently. # 28:25 As translated from the Septuagint. The Hebrew is “The greedy person stirs up trouble, but the one who trusts in the Lord will prosper.”
26Self-confident know-it-alls # 28:26 Or “those who trust their instincts.” will prove to be fools.
But when you lean on the wisdom from above,
you will have a way to escape the troubles of your own making.
27You will never go without if you give to the poor.
But if you’re heartless, stingy, and selfish, # 28:27 Or “if you hide your eyes from the poor.”
you invite curses upon yourself.
28When wicked leaders rise to power,
good people go into hiding.
But when they fall from power,
the godly take their place.
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