Proverbs 28
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
The wicked people run away when no one chases them, but righteous people are as bold as a young lion.
2 A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.
Because of the transgression of a land, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, it will last 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 a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.
Those who forsake the law praise wicked people, but those who keep the law fight against them.
5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek Yahweh understand everything.
6 Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.
It is better for a poor person who walks in his integrity, than for a rich person who is crooked in his ways.
7 A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
He who keeps the law is a son who has understanding, but one who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.
The one who makes his fortune by charging too much interest gathers his wealth for another who will have pity on poor people.
9 Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
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 misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a good inheritance.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.
The rich person may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor person who has understanding will find him out.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked arise, people are sought out.
13 He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
The one who hides his sins will not prosper, but the one who confesses them and forsakes them will be shown mercy.
14 Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
The one who always lives with reverence is blessed, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into trouble.
15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor people.
16 A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.
The ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but the one who hates dishonesty will prolong his days.
17 A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.
If a man is guilty because he has shed someone's blood, he will be a fugitive until death and no one will help him.
18 He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
Whoever walks with integrity will be kept safe, but the one whose way is crooked will suddenly fall.
19 The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
A faithful man will have great blessings, but the one who gets rich quickly will not go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
It is not good to show partiality, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.
A stingy man hurries after riches, but he does not know that poverty will come upon him.
23 He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.
Whoever disciplines someone, afterward will find more favor from him than from the one who flatters him with his tongue.
24 He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys.
Whoever robs his father and his mother and says, “That is no sin,” he is the companion of the one who destroys.
25 A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
A greedy man stirs up conflict, but the one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
One who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks in wisdom will keep away from danger.
27 Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.
The one who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but whoever closes his eyes to them will receive many curses.
28 When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
When the wicked arise, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
