< Proverbs 28 >

1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion.
The wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth: but the just, bold as a lion, shall be without dread.
2 By the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; but by a man of understanding [and] of knowledge, [its] stability is prolonged.
For the sins of the land many are the princes thereof: and for the wisdom of a man, and the knowledge of those things that are said, the life of the prince shall be prolonged.
3 A poor man who oppresseth the helpless is a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
A poor man that oppresseth the poor, is like a violent shower, which bringeth a famine.
4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked; but such as keep the law contend with them.
They that forsake the law, praise the wicked man: they that keep it, are incensed against him.
5 Evil men understand not judgment; but they that seek Jehovah understand everything.
Evil men think not on judgment: but they that seek after the Lord, take notice of all things.
6 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse, double in ways, though he be rich.
Better is the poor man walking in his simplicity, than the rich in crooked ways.
7 Whoso observeth the law is a son that hath understanding; but he that is a companion of profligates bringeth shame to his father.
He that keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that feedeth gluttons, shameth his father.
8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance gathereth it for him that is gracious to the poor.
He that heapeth together riches by usury and loan, gathereth them for him that will be bountiful to the poor.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
He that turneth away his ears from hearing the law, his prayer shall be as abomination.
10 Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, shall himself fall into his own pit; but the perfect shall inherit good.
He that deceiveth the just in a wicked way, shall fall in his own destruction: and the upright shall possess his goods.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
The rich man seemeth to himself wise: but the poor man that is prudent shall search him out.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men conceal themselves.
In the joy of the just there is great glory: when the wicked reign, men are ruined.
13 He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall obtain mercy.
He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that shall confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy.
14 Happy is the man that feareth always; but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into evil.
Blessed is the man that is always fearful: but he that is hardened in mind, shall fall into evil.
15 A roaring lion, and a ranging bear, is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
As a roaring lion, and a hungry bear, so is a wicked prince over the poor people.
16 The prince void of intelligence is also a great oppressor: he that hateth covetousness shall prolong [his] days.
A prince void of prudence shall oppress many by calumny: but he that hateth covetousness, shall prolong his days.
17 A man laden with the blood of [any] person, fleeth to the pit: let no man stay him.
A man that doth violence to the blood of a person, if he flee even to the pit, no man will stay him.
18 Whoso walketh in integrity shall be saved; but he that is perverted in [his] double ways, shall fall in one [of them].
He that walketh uprightly, shall be saved: he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth the worthless shall have poverty enough.
He that tilleth his ground, shall be filled with bread: but he that followeth idleness shall be filled with poverty.
20 A faithful man aboundeth with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
A faithful man shall be much praised: but he that maketh haste to be rich, shall not be innocent.
21 To have respect of persons is not good; but for a piece of bread will a man transgress.
He that hath respect to a person in judgment, doth not well: such a man even for a morsel of bread forsaketh the truth.
22 He that hath an evil eye hasteth after wealth, and knoweth not that poverty shall come upon him.
A man, that maketh haste to be rich, and envieth others, is ignorant that poverty shall come upon him.
23 He that rebuketh a man shall afterwards find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
He that rebuketh a man, shall afterward find favour with him, more than he that by a flattering tongue deceiveth him.
24 Whoso robbeth his father and his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, the same is the companion of a destroyer.
He that stealeth any thing from his father, or from his mother: and saith, This is no sin, is the partner of a murderer.
25 He that is puffed up in soul exciteth contention; but he that relieth upon Jehovah shall be made fat.
He that boasteth, and puffeth up himself, stirreth up quarrels: but he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be healed.
26 He that confideth in his own heart is a fool; but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
He that trusteth in his own heart, is a fool: but he that walketh wisely, he shall be saved.
27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; but he that withdraweth his eyes shall have many a curse.
He that giveth to the poor, shall not want: he that despiseth his entreaty, shall suffer indigence.
28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
When the wicked rise up, men shall hide themselves: when they perish, the lust shall be multiplied.

< Proverbs 28 >