Proverbs 28:1-7
Proverbs 28:1-7 The Message (MSG)
The 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. When the country is in chaos, everybody has a plan to fix it— But it takes a leader of real understanding to straighten things out. The wicked who oppress the poor are like a hailstorm that beats down the harvest. If you desert God’s law, you’re free to embrace depravity; if you love God’s law, you fight for it tooth and nail. Justice makes no sense to the evilminded; those who seek GOD know it inside and out. It’s better to be poor and direct than rich and crooked. Practice God’s law—get a reputation for wisdom; hang out with a loose crowd—embarrass your family.
Proverbs 28:1-7 King James Version (KJV)
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: But the righteous are bold as a lion. For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: But by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged. A poor man that oppresseth the poor Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. They that forsake the law praise the wicked: But such as keep the law contend with them. Evil men understand not judgment: But they that seek the LORD understand all things. Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: But he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
Proverbs 28:1-7 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion. By the transgression of a land many are its princes, But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures. A poor man who oppresses the lowly Is like a driving rain which leaves no food. Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But those who keep the law strive with them. Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the LORD understand all things. Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than he who is crooked though he be rich. He who keeps the law is a discerning son, But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.
Proverbs 28:1-7 New Century Version (NCV)
Evil people run even though no one is chasing them, but good people are as brave as a lion. When a country is lawless, it has one ruler after another; but when it is led by a leader with understanding and knowledge, it continues strong. Rulers who mistreat the poor are like a hard rain that destroys the crops. Those who disobey what they have been taught praise the wicked, but those who obey what they have been taught are against them. Evil people do not understand justice, but those who follow the LORD understand it completely. It is better to be poor and innocent than to be rich and wicked. Children who obey what they have been taught are wise, but friends of troublemakers disgrace their parents.
Proverbs 28:1-7 American Standard Version (ASV)
The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion. For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; But by men of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged. A needy man that oppresseth the poor Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. They that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them. Evil men understand not justice; But they that seek Jehovah understand all things. Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father.
Proverbs 28:1-7 New International Version (NIV)
The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order. A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops. Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them. Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully. Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse. A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
Proverbs 28:1-7 New King James Version (NKJV)
The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion. Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes; But by a man of understanding and knowledge Right will be prolonged. A poor man who oppresses the poor Is like a driving rain which leaves no food. Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But such as keep the law contend with them. Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the LORD understand all. Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, But a companion of gluttons shames his father.
Proverbs 28:1-7 Amplified Bible (AMP)
The wicked flee when no one pursues them, But the righteous are as bold as a lion. [Lev 26:17, 36; Ps 53:5] When a land does wrong, it has many princes, But when the ruler is a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability endures. A poor man who oppresses and exploits the lowly Is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food. [Matt 18:28] Those who set aside the law [of God and man] praise the wicked, But those who keep the law [of God and man] struggle with them. [Prov 29:18] Evil men do not understand justice, But they who long for and seek the LORD understand it fully. [John 7:17; 1 Cor 2:15; 1 John 2:20, 27] Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than he who is crooked and two-faced though he is rich. [Prov 19:1] He who keeps the law [of God and man] is a wise and discerning son, But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father [and himself].
Proverbs 28:1-7 New Living Translation (NLT)
The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions. When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. A poor person who oppresses the poor is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops. To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them. Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the LORD understand completely. Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich. Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.
Proverbs 28:1-7 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Guilty criminals experience paranoia even though no one threatens them. But the innocent lovers of God, because of righteousness, will have the boldness of a young, ferocious lion! A rebellious nation is thrown into chaos, but leaders anointed with wisdom will restore law and order. When a pauper oppresses the destitute, it’s like a flash flood that sweeps away their last hope. Those who turn their backs on what they know is right will no longer be able to tell right from wrong. But those who love the truth strengthen their souls. Justice never makes sense to men devoted to darkness, but those tenderly devoted to the Lord can understand justice perfectly. It’s more respectable to be poor and pure than rich and perverse. To be obedient to what you’ve been taught proves you’re an honorable child, but to socialize with the lawless brings shame to your parents.
Proverbs 28:1-7 English Standard Version Revision 2016 (ESV)
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue. A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food. Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them. Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely. Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways. The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.