Proverbs 28
28
1The wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth: but the just, bold as a lion, shall be without dread.
2For the sine of the land many are the princes thereof: and for the wisdom of a man, and the knowledge of those things that are said, the life of the prince shall be prolonged.
3A poor man that oppresseth the poor, is like a violent shower, which bringeth a famine.
4They that forsake the law, praise the wicked man: they that keep it, are incensed against him.
5Evil men think not on judgment: but they that seek after the Lord, take notice of all things.
6Better is the poor man walking in his simplicity, than the rich in crooked ways.
7He that keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that feedeth gluttons, shameth his father.
8He that heapeth together riches by usury and loan, gathereth them for him that will be bountiful to the poor.
9He that turneth away his ears from hearing the law, his prayer shall be as abomination.
10He that deceiveth the just in a wicked way, shall fall in his own destruction: and the upright shall possess his goods.
11The rich man seemeth to himself wise: but the poor man that is prudent shall search him out.
12In the joy of the just there is great glory: when the wicked reign, men are ruined.
13He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that shall confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy.
14Blessed is the man that is always fearful: but he that is hardened in mind, shall fall into evil.
15As a roaring lion, and a hungry bear, so is a wicked prince over the poor people.
16A prince void of prudence shall oppress many by calumny: but he that hateth covetousness, shall prolong his days.
17A man that doth violence to the blood of a person, if he flee even to the pit, no man will stay him.
18He that walketh uprightly, shall be saved: he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19He that tilleth his ground, shall be filled with bread: but he that followeth idleness shall be filled with poverty.
20A faithful man shall be much praised: but he that maketh haste to be rich, shall not be innocent.
21He that hath respect to a person in judgment, doth not well: such a man even for a morsel of bread forsaketh the truth.
22A man, that maketh haste to be rich, and envieth others, is ignorant that poverty shall come upon him.
23He that rebuketh a man, shall afterward find favour with him, more than he that by a flattering tongue deceiveth him.
24He that stealeth any thing from his father, or from his mother: and saith, This is no sin, is the partner of a murderer.
25He that boasteth, and puffeth up himself, stirreth up quarrels: but he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be healed.
26He that trusteth in his own heart, is a fool: but he that walketh wisely, he shall be saved.
27He that giveth to the poor, shall not want: he that despiseth his entreaty, shall suffer indigence.
28When the wicked rise up, men shall hide themselves: when they perish, the lust shall be multiplied.
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An historical text 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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