Proverbs 28
1 The ungodly [man] flees when no one pursues: but the righteous is confident as a lion.
The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer, And the righteous is confident as a young lion.
2 By reason of the sins of ungodly men quarrels arise; but a wise man will quell them.
By the transgression of a land its heads are many, And by an understanding man, Who knows right—it is prolonged.
3 A bold man oppresses the poor by ungodly deeds. As an impetuous and profitable rain,
A man—poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
4 so they that forsake the law praise ungodliness; but they that love the law fortify themselves with a wall.
Those forsaking the Law praise the wicked, Those keeping the Law plead against them.
5 Evil men will not understand judgment: but they that seek the Lord will understand everything.
Evil men do not understand judgment, And those seeking YHWH understand all.
6 A poor man walking in truth is better than a rich liar.
Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.
7 A wise son keeps the law: but he that keeps up debauchery dishonours his father.
Whoever is keeping the Law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons Causes his father to blush.
8 He that increases his wealth by usuries and [unjust] gains, gathers it for him that pities the poor.
Whoever is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, Gathers it for one favoring the poor.
9 He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even he has made his prayer abominable.
Whoever is turning his ear from hearing the Law, Even his prayer [is] an abomination.
10 He that causes upright men to err in an evil way, himself shall fall into destruction: transgressor also shall pass by prosperity, but shall not enter into it.
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 conceit; but an intelligent poor man will condemn him.
A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searches him.
12 By reason of the help of righteous men great glory arises: but in the places of the ungodly men are caught.
In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.
13 He that covers his own ungodliness shall not prosper: but he that blames [himself] shall be loved.
Whoever is covering his transgressions does not prosper, And he who is confessing and forsaking has mercy.
14 Blessed is the man who religiously fears always: but the hard of heart shall fall into mischiefs.
O the blessedness of a man fearing continually, And whoever is hardening his heart falls into evil.
15 A hungry lion and a thirsty wolf [is he], who, being poor, rules over a poor nation.
A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A king in need of revenues is a great oppressor: but he that hates injustice shall live a long time.
A leader lacking understanding multiplies oppressions, Whoever is hating dishonest gain prolongs days.
17 He that becomes surety for a man charged with murder shall be an exile, and not in safety. Chasten thy son, and he shall love thee, and give honour to thy soul: he shall not obey a sinful nation.
A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, Flees to the pit, [and] none takes hold on him [to help].
18 He that walks justly is assisted: but he that walks in crooked ways shall be entangled [therein].
Whoever is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falls at once.
19 He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows idleness shall have plenty of poverty.
Whoever is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoever is pursuing vanity, Is filled [with] poverty.
20 A man worthy of credit shall be much blessed: but the wicked shall not be unpunished.
A steadfast man has multiplied blessings, And whoever is hastening to be rich is not acquitted.
21 He that reverences not the persons of the just is not good: such a one will sell a man for a morsel of bread.
[It] is not good to discern faces, And a man transgresses for a piece of bread.
22 An envious man makes haste to be rich, and knows not that the merciful man will have the mastery over him.
The man [with] an evil eye [is] troubled for wealth, And he does not know that want meets him.
23 He that reproves a man's ways shall have more favour than he that flatters with the tongue.
Whoever is reproving a man finds grace afterward, More than a flatterer with the tongue.
24 He that casts off father or mother, and thinks he sins not; the same is partaker with an ungodly man.
Whoever is robbing his father or his mother, And is saying, “It is not transgression,” He is a companion to a destroyer.
25 An unbelieving man judges rashly: but he that trusts in the Lord will act carefully.
Whoever is proud in soul stirs up contention, And whoever is trusting on YHWH is made fat.
26 He that trusts to a bold heart, such an one is a fool: but he that walks in wisdom shall be safe.
Whoever is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoever is walking in wisdom is delivered.
27 He that gives to the poor shall not be in want: but he that turns away his eye [from him] shall be in great distress.
Whoever is giving to the poor has no lack, And whoever is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
28 In the places of ungodly [men] the righteous mourn: but in their destruction the righteous shall be multiplied.
A man is hidden in the rising of the wicked, And the righteous multiply in their destruction!
