Proverbs 28
1 The impious flees, though no one pursues. But the just, like a confident lion, shall be without dread.
The wicked people run away when no one chases them, but righteous people are as bold as a young lion.
2 Because of the sins of the land, it has many princes. And because of the wisdom of a man, and the knowledge of those things that are said, the life of the leader shall be prolonged.
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 poor man slandering the poor is like a violent rainstorm in advance of a famine.
A poor person who oppresses other poor people is like a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who abandon the law praise the impious. Those who guard it are inflamed against him.
Those who forsake the law praise wicked people, but those who keep the law fight against them.
5 Evil men do not intend judgment. But those who inquire after the Lord turn their souls toward all things.
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek Yahweh understand everything.
6 Better is the pauper walking in his simplicity, than the rich walking in ways of depravity.
It is better for a poor person who walks in his integrity, than for a rich person who is crooked in his ways.
7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son. But whoever feeds gluttons brings shame to 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 Whoever piles up riches by usury and profit gathers them for him who will give freely 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 away his ears from listening to the law: his prayer will be detestable.
If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
10 Whoever deceives the just in a malicious way will fall into his own perdition. And the simple shall possess his goods.
Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a good inheritance.
11 The rich one seems wise to himself. But the poor one, being prudent, shall evaluate him.
The rich person may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor person who has understanding will find him out.
12 In the exultation of the just, there is great glory. When the impious reign, men are brought to ruin.
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked arise, people are sought out.
13 Whoever hides his crimes will not be guided. But whoever will have confessed and abandoned them shall overtake 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 ever fearful. Yet truly, whoever is hardened in mind will fall into evil.
The one who always lives with reverence is blessed, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into trouble.
15 An impious leader over a poor people is like a roaring lion and a hungry bear.
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor people.
16 A leader destitute of prudence will oppress many through false accusations. But whoever hates avarice shall 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 who slanders the blood of a life, even if he flees to the pit, no one will tolerate 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 Whoever walks simply shall be saved. Whoever is perverse in his steps will fall all at once.
Whoever walks with integrity will be kept safe, but the one whose way is crooked will suddenly fall.
19 Whoever works his land shall be satisfied with bread. But whoever pursues leisure will be filled with need.
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 shall be greatly praised. But whoever rushes to become rich will not be innocent.
A faithful man will have great blessings, but the one who gets rich quickly will not go unpunished.
21 Whoever shows favoritism in judgment does not do well; even if it is for a morsel of bread, he forsakes the truth.
It is not good to show partiality, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 A man who hurries to become rich, and who envies others, does not know that destitution will overwhelm him.
A stingy man hurries after riches, but he does not know that poverty will come upon him.
23 Whoever corrects a man, afterward he shall find favor with him, more so than he who deceives him with a flattering tongue.
Whoever disciplines someone, afterward will find more favor from him than from the one who flatters him with his tongue.
24 Whoever takes away anything from his father or mother, and who says, “This is not a sin,” is the associate of a murderer.
Whoever robs his father and his mother and says, “That is no sin,” he is the companion of the one who destroys.
25 Whoever boasts and enlarges himself stirs up conflicts. Yet truly, whoever trusts in the Lord will be healed.
A greedy man stirs up conflict, but the one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
26 Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool. But whoever treads wisely, the same shall be saved.
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 shall not be in need. Whoever despises his petition will suffer scarcity.
The one who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but whoever closes his eyes to them will receive many curses.
28 When the impious rise up, men will hide themselves. When they perish, the just shall be multiplied.
When the wicked arise, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
