< Proverbs 28 >
1 The evil man goes running away when no man is after him, but the upright are without fear, like the lion.
The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer, And the righteous is confident as a young lion.
2 Because of the sin of the land, its troubles are increased; but by a man of wisdom and knowledge they will be put out like a fire.
By the transgression of a land its heads are many, And by an understanding man, Who knows right—it is prolonged.
3 A man of wealth who is cruel to the poor is like a violent rain causing destruction of food.
A man—poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
4 Those who have no respect for the law give praise to the evil-doer; but such as keep the law are against him.
Those forsaking the Law praise the wicked, Those keeping the Law plead against them.
5 Evil men have no knowledge of what is right; but those who go after the Lord have knowledge of all things.
Evil men do not understand judgment, And those seeking YHWH understand all.
6 Better is the poor man whose ways are upright, than the man of wealth whose ways are not straight.
Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.
7 He who keeps the law is a wise son, but he who keeps company with feasters puts shame on his father.
Whoever is keeping the Law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons Causes his father to blush.
8 He who makes his wealth greater by taking interest, only gets it together for him who has pity on the poor.
Whoever is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, Gathers it for one favoring the poor.
9 As for the man whose ear is turned away from hearing the law, even his prayer is disgusting.
Whoever is turning his ear from hearing the Law, Even his prayer [is] an abomination.
10 Anyone causing the upright to go wandering in an evil way, will himself go down into the hole he has made; but the upright will have good things for their heritage.
Whoever is causing the upright to err in an evil way, He falls into his own pit, And the perfect inherits good.
11 The man of wealth seems to himself to be wise, but the poor man who has sense has a low opinion of him.
A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searches him.
12 When the upright do well, there is great glory; but when evil-doers are lifted up, men do not let themselves be seen.
In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.
13 He who keeps his sins secret will not do well; but one who is open about them, and gives them up, will get mercy.
Whoever is covering his transgressions does not prosper, And he who is confessing and forsaking has mercy.
14 Happy is the man in whom is the fear of the Lord at all times; but he whose heart is hard will come into trouble.
O the blessedness of a man fearing continually, And whoever is hardening his heart falls into evil.
15 Like a loud-voiced lion and a wandering bear, is an evil ruler over a poor people.
A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 The prince who has no sense is a cruel ruler; but he who has no desire to get profit for himself will have long life.
A leader lacking understanding multiplies oppressions, Whoever is hating dishonest gain prolongs days.
17 One who has been the cause of a man's death will go in flight to the underworld: let no man give him help.
A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, Flees to the pit, [and] none takes hold on him [to help].
18 He whose ways are upright will be safe, but sudden will be the fall of him whose ways are twisted.
Whoever is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falls at once.
19 By ploughing his land a man will have bread in full measure; but he who goes after good-for-nothing persons will be poor enough.
Whoever is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoever is pursuing vanity, Is filled [with] poverty.
20 A man of good faith will have great blessing, but one attempting to get wealth quickly will not go free from punishment.
A steadfast man has multiplied blessings, And whoever is hastening to be rich is not acquitted.
21 It is not good to have respect for a man's position: for a man will do wrong for a bit of bread.
[It] is not good to discern faces, And a man transgresses for a piece of bread.
22 He who is ever desiring wealth goes running after money, and does not see that need will come on him.
The man [with] an evil eye [is] troubled for wealth, And he does not know that want meets him.
23 He who says words of protest to a man will later have more approval than one who says smooth words with his tongue.
Whoever is reproving a man finds grace afterward, More than a flatterer with the tongue.
24 He who takes from his father or his mother what is theirs by right, and says, It is no sin; is the same as a taker of life.
Whoever is robbing his father or his mother, And is saying, “It is not transgression,” He is a companion to a destroyer.
25 He who is ever desiring profit is a cause of fighting; but he who puts his faith in the Lord will be made fat.
Whoever is proud in soul stirs up contention, And whoever is trusting on YHWH is made fat.
26 He whose faith is in himself is foolish; but everyone walking wisely will be kept safe.
Whoever is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoever is walking in wisdom is delivered.
27 He who gives to the poor will never be in need, but great curses will be on him who gives no attention to them.
Whoever is giving to the poor has no lack, And whoever is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
28 When evil-doers are lifted up, men take cover; but when destruction overtakes them, the upright are increased.
A man is hidden in the rising of the wicked, And the righteous multiply in their destruction!