Proverbs 28
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer, And the righteous is confident as a young lion.
2 A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.
By the transgression of a land its heads are many, And by an understanding man, Who knows right—it is prolonged.
3 A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.
A man—poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.
Those forsaking the Law praise the wicked, Those keeping the Law plead against them.
5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.
Evil men do not understand judgment, And those seeking YHWH understand all.
6 Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.
Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.
7 A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
Whoever is keeping the Law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons Causes his father to blush.
8 He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.
Whoever is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, Gathers it for one favoring the poor.
9 Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
Whoever is turning his ear from hearing the Law, Even his prayer [is] an abomination.
10 He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.
Whoever is causing the upright to err in an evil way, He falls into his own pit, And the perfect inherits good.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.
A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searches him.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.
13 He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
Whoever is covering his transgressions does not prosper, And he who is confessing and forsaking has mercy.
14 Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
O the blessedness of a man fearing continually, And whoever is hardening his heart falls into evil.
15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.
A leader lacking understanding multiplies oppressions, Whoever is hating dishonest gain prolongs days.
17 A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.
A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, Flees to the pit, [and] none takes hold on him [to help].
18 He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
Whoever is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falls at once.
19 The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
Whoever is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoever is pursuing vanity, Is filled [with] poverty.
20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
A steadfast man has multiplied blessings, And whoever is hastening to be rich is not acquitted.
21 To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
[It] is not good to discern faces, And a man transgresses for a piece of bread.
22 A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.
The man [with] an evil eye [is] troubled for wealth, And he does not know that want meets him.
23 He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.
Whoever is reproving a man finds grace afterward, More than a flatterer with the tongue.
24 He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys.
Whoever is robbing his father or his mother, And is saying, “It is not transgression,” He is a companion to a destroyer.
25 A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
Whoever is proud in soul stirs up contention, And whoever is trusting on YHWH is made fat.
26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
Whoever is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoever is walking in wisdom is delivered.
27 Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.
Whoever is giving to the poor has no lack, And whoever is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
28 When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
A man is hidden in the rising of the wicked, And the righteous multiply in their destruction!
