Proverbs 28
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
Wicked [people] run away [even] when no one is pursuing them, but righteous/good [people are not afraid]; they are as brave as lions.
2 A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.
When [the people of] a nation sin, they will have one ruler after another; but when their leaders are wise and have good sense, their government will last for a long time.
3 A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.
A poor person who oppresses [other] poor [people] is [like] [MET] a very heavy/hard rain that [destroys the crops], with the result that there is no food [for people to eat].
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.
Those who reject/disobey [God’s] laws always speak well of wicked [people]; but those who obey [God’s] laws [always] oppose what wicked people do.
5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.
Evil people do not understand what it means to act justly, but those who try to obey/worship Yahweh understand that very well.
6 Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.
It is better to be honest [even] though you are poor than to be dishonest [even] though you are rich.
7 A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
Young people who obey the laws are wise [IDM]; parents whose children associate with those who (carouse/go to wild parties) are humiliated/disgraced because of what their children do.
8 He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.
When people become very rich by charging very high interest [DOU], their money will [eventually] go to someone who does kind things for the poor.
9 Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
If people do not obey [MTY] [God’s] laws, [God] (detests their prayers/considers that their prayers stink).
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.
Those who cause honest/good [people] to do what is evil will fall into their own pits/traps, but good things will happen to those who (are innocent/have not done what is wrong).
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.
[Many] rich people think that they are wise, but poor people who have good sense will find out whether rich people really are wise or not.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
When righteous/good [people] (succeed/win [elections]), everyone (celebrates/is happy); but when wicked [people win], everyone hides [because they are afraid of what the wicked people will do].
13 He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
Those who refuse to confess/admit their sins will not prosper, but [God] acts mercifully/kindly toward those who confess their sins and turn away from their sinful behavior.
14 Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
[God] is pleased with those who always revere him, but those who are stubborn [IDM] will experience disasters.
15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
Wicked people who [mistreat] poor people whom they rule are [as dangerous to them as] [SIM] a lion roaring [at them] or a bear springing up [to attack them].
16 A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.
Rulers who do not have good sense cruelly oppress [the people they rule], but rulers who do not want to become rich by cheating/deceiving [people] will live (OR, rule) for a long time.
17 A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.
Those who are guilty of murdering [MTY] another person will (be fugitives/keep running away) until they die; do not help them to escape.
18 He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
Those who [continually] do what is right will be safe/protected, but those who are dishonest will [suddenly] be ruined.
19 The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
Farmers who work [hard] in their fields will [produce good crops and always] have plenty of food [to eat], but those who spend all their time (on useless projects/doing things that do not benefit anyone) will become very poor.
20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
[God] will greatly bless those who (are trustworthy/always do what they say that they will do), but he will certainly punish [LIT] those who try to become rich quickly.
21 To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
It is not good [for judges] to decide matters unfairly/unjustly, but [some] people will do what is wrong [even] if they receive [only] a very small bribe [HYP] [for doing it].
22 A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.
Selfish people [IDM] are very eager to become rich quickly; they do not realize that they will [soon] become poor.
23 He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.
Those who rebuke someone will be appreciated/thanked more than those who [say nice things to others merely] to (flatter them/cause them to feel good).
24 He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys.
Anyone who steals things from his father or his mother and says “That is not sinful” is as bad as a bandit.
25 A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
Greedy people cause trouble/strife; those who trust in Yahweh will prosper [IDM].
26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
Those who believe that what they think [is always right] are foolish; those who act wisely will (escape danger/be safe).
27 Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.
Those who give things to poor [people] will not become poor, but many [people] will curse those who refuse to help [IDM] poor people.
28 When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
When wicked [people] become rulers, people hide [because they are afraid of what those wicked people will do]; but when wicked people are no longer rulers, good/righteous [people will] become the rulers.
