Proverbs 28
1 The impious flees, though no one pursues. But the just, like a confident lion, shall be without dread.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a 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.
For the transgression of a land many are its princes: but by a man of understanding and knowledge its state shall be prolonged.
3 A poor man slandering the poor is like a violent rainstorm in advance of a famine.
A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4 Those who abandon the law praise the impious. Those who guard it are inflamed against him.
They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men do not intend judgment. But those who inquire after the Lord turn their souls toward all things.
Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
6 Better is the pauper walking in his simplicity, than the rich walking in ways of depravity.
Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he is rich.
7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son. But whoever feeds gluttons brings shame to his father.
He who keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of gluttonous men shameth his father.
8 Whoever piles up riches by usury and profit gathers them for him who will give freely to the poor.
He that by interest and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
9 Whoever turns away his ears from listening to the law: his prayer will be detestable.
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
10 Whoever deceives the just in a malicious way will fall into his own perdition. And the simple shall possess his goods.
Whoever causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
11 The rich one seems wise to himself. But the poor one, being prudent, shall evaluate him.
The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12 In the exultation of the just, there is great glory. When the impious reign, men are brought to ruin.
When righteous men rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
13 Whoever hides his crimes will not be guided. But whoever will have confessed and abandoned them shall overtake mercy.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but he who confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
14 Blessed is the man who is ever fearful. Yet truly, whoever is hardened in mind will fall into evil.
Happy is the man that feareth always: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15 An impious leader over a poor people is like a roaring lion and a hungry bear.
As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16 A leader destitute of prudence will oppress many through false accusations. But whoever hates avarice shall prolong his days.
The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall 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.
A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man sustain him.
18 Whoever walks simply shall be saved. Whoever is perverse in his steps will fall all at once.
He who walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19 Whoever works his land shall be satisfied with bread. But whoever pursues leisure will be filled with need.
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
20 A faithful man shall be greatly praised. But whoever rushes to become rich will not be innocent.
A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
21 Whoever shows favoritism in judgment does not do well; even if it is for a morsel of bread, he forsakes the truth.
To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
22 A man who hurries to become rich, and who envies others, does not know that destitution will overwhelm him.
He that hasteneth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall 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.
He that rebuketh a man afterward shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the 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.
He that robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
25 Whoever boasts and enlarges himself stirs up conflicts. Yet truly, whoever trusts in the Lord will be healed.
He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
26 Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool. But whoever treads wisely, the same shall be saved.
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoever walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27 Whoever gives to the poor shall not be in need. Whoever despises his petition will suffer scarcity.
He that giveth to the poor shall not want: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28 When the impious rise up, men will hide themselves. When they perish, the just shall be multiplied.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
