Proverbs 28:10-23

Proverbs 28:10-23 The Message (MSG)

Lead good people down a wrong path and you’ll come to a bad end; do good and you’ll be rewarded for it. The rich think they know it all, but the poor can see right through them. When good people are promoted, everything is great, but when the bad are in charge, watch out! You can’t whitewash your sins and get by with it; you find mercy by admitting and leaving them. A tenderhearted person lives a blessed life; a hardhearted person lives a hard life. Lions roar and bears charge— and the wicked lord it over the poor. Among leaders who lack insight, abuse abounds, but for one who hates corruption, the future is bright. A murderer haunted by guilt is doomed—there’s no helping him. Walk straight—live well and be saved; a devious life is a doomed life. Work your garden—you’ll end up with plenty of food; play and party—you’ll end up with an empty plate. Committed and persistent work pays off; get-rich-quick schemes are ripoffs. Playing favorites is always a bad thing; you can do great harm in seemingly harmless ways. A miser in a hurry to get rich doesn’t know that he’ll end up broke. In the end, serious reprimand is appreciated far more than bootlicking flattery.

Proverbs 28:10-23 King James Version (KJV)

Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit: But the upright shall have good things in possession. The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: But when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Happy is the man that feareth alway: But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; So is a wicked ruler over the poor people. The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person Shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him. Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: But he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once. He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: But he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. A faithful man shall abound with blessings: But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. To have respect of persons is not good: For for a piece of bread that man will transgress. He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, And considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour Than he that flattereth with the tongue.

Proverbs 28:10-23 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)

He who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit, But the blameless will inherit good. The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding sees through him. When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. How blessed is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people. A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him. He who walks blamelessly will be delivered, But he who is crooked will fall all at once. He who tills his land will have plenty of food, But he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty. A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished. To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth And does not know that want will come upon him. He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor Than he who flatters with the tongue.

Proverbs 28:10-23 New Century Version (NCV)

Those who lead good people to do wrong will be ruined by their own evil, but the innocent will be rewarded with good things. Rich people may think they are wise, but the poor with understanding will prove them wrong. When good people triumph, there is great happiness, but when the wicked get control, everybody hides. If you hide your sins, you will not succeed. If you confess and reject them, you will receive mercy. Those who are always respectful will be happy, but those who are stubborn will get into trouble. A wicked ruler is as dangerous to poor people as a roaring lion or a charging bear. A ruler without wisdom will be cruel, but the one who refuses to take dishonest money will rule a long time. Don’t help those who are guilty of murder; let them run until they die. Innocent people will be kept safe, but those who are dishonest will suddenly be ruined. Those who work their land will have plenty of food, but the ones who chase empty dreams instead will end up poor. A truthful person will have many blessings, but those eager to get rich will be punished. It is not good for a judge to take sides, but some will sin for only a piece of bread. Selfish people are in a hurry to get rich and do not realize they soon will be poor. Those who correct others will later be liked more than those who give false praise.

Proverbs 28:10-23 American Standard Version (ASV)

Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit; But the perfect shall inherit good. The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy. Happy is the man that feareth alway; But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear, So is a wicked ruler over a poor people. The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. A man that is laden with the blood of any person Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him. Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered; But he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once. He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. A faithful man shall abound with blessings; But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished. To have respect of persons is not good; Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread. He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches, And knoweth not that want shall come upon him. He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favor Than he that flattereth with the tongue.

Proverbs 28:10-23 New International Version (NIV)

Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance. The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are. When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding. Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign. Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back. The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit. Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty. A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. To show partiality is not good— yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread. The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them. Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue.

Proverbs 28:10-23 New King James Version (NKJV)

Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, He himself will fall into his own pit; But the blameless will inherit good. The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding searches him out. When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory; But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves. He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. Like a roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over poor people. A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days. A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; Let no one help him. Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved, But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall. He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough! A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon him. He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue.

Proverbs 28:10-23 Amplified Bible (AMP)

He who leads the upright astray on an evil path Will himself fall into his own pit, But the blameless will inherit good. The rich man [who is conceited and relies on his wealth instead of God] is wise in his own eyes, But the poor man who has understanding [because he relies on God] is able to see through him. When the righteous triumph, there is great glory and celebration; But when the wicked rise [to prominence], men hide themselves. He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But whoever confesses and turns away from his sins will find compassion and mercy. [Ps 32:3, 5; 1 John 1:8-10] Blessed and favored by God is the man who fears [sin and its consequence] at all times, But he who hardens his heart [and is determined to sin] will fall into disaster. Like a roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people. A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding and common sense [and his wickedness shortens his days], But he who hates unjust gain will [be blessed and] prolong his days. A man who is burdened with the guilt of human blood (murder) Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him or give him refuge. He who walks blamelessly and uprightly will be kept safe, But he who is crooked (perverse) will suddenly fall. He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows worthless people and frivolous pursuits will have plenty of poverty. A faithful (right-minded) man will abound with blessings, But he who hurries to be rich will not go unpunished. [Prov 13:11; 20:21; 23:4; 1 Tim 6:9] To have regard for one person over another and to show favoritism is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. He who has an evil and envious eye hurries to be rich And does not know that poverty will come upon him. [Prov 21:5; 28:20] He who [appropriately] reprimands a [wise] man will afterward find more favor Than he who flatters with the tongue.

Proverbs 28:10-23 New Living Translation (NLT)

Those who lead good people along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the honest will inherit good things. Rich people may think they are wise, but a poor person with discernment can see right through them. When the godly succeed, everyone is glad. When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding. People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble. A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor as a roaring lion or an attacking bear. A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people, but one who hates corruption will have a long life. A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave. Don’t protect him! The blameless will be rescued from harm, but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed. A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty. The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble. Showing partiality is never good, yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread. Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty. In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery.

Proverbs 28:10-23 The Passion Translation (TPT)

Those 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. The wealthy in their conceit presume to be wise, but a poor person with discernment can see right through them. The triumphant joy of God’s lovers releases great glory. But when the wicked rise to power, everyone goes into hiding. If 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. Overjoyed is the one who with tender heart trembles before God, but the stubborn, unyielding heart will experience even greater evil. Ruthless rulers can only be compared to raging lions and roaming bears. Abusive leaders fail to employ wisdom, but leaders who despise corruption will enjoy a long and full life. A murderer’s conscience will torment him— a fugitive haunted by guilt all the way to the grave with no one to support him. The pure will be rescued from failure, but the perverse will suddenly fall into ruin. Work hard and you’ll have all you desire, but chase a fantasy and you could end up with nothing. Life’s blessings drench the honest and faithful person, but punishment rains down upon the greedy and dishonest. Giving 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. A greedy man is in a race to get rich, but he forgets that he could lose what’s most important and end up with nothing. If you correct someone with constructive criticism, in the end he will appreciate it more than flattery.

Proverbs 28:10-23 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)

Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance. A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out. When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves. Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity. Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. If one is burdened with the blood of another, he will be a fugitive until death; let no one help him. Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall. Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty. A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong. A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him. Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue.