Proverbs 28
1 The wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth: but the just, bold as a lion, shall be without dread.
The impious flees, though no one pursues. But the just, like a confident lion, shall be without dread.
2 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.
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.
3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor, is like a violent shower, which bringeth a famine.
A poor man slandering the poor is like a violent rainstorm in advance of a famine.
4 They that forsake the law, praise the wicked man: they that keep it, are incensed against him.
Those who abandon the law praise the impious. Those who guard it are inflamed against him.
5 Evil men think not on judgment: but they that seek after the Lord, take notice of all things.
Evil men do not intend judgment. But those who inquire after the Lord turn their souls toward all things.
6 Better is the poor man walking in his simplicity, than the rich in crooked ways.
Better is the pauper walking in his simplicity, than the rich walking in ways of depravity.
7 He that keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that feedeth gluttons, shameth his father.
Whoever keeps the law is a wise son. But whoever feeds gluttons brings shame to his father.
8 He that heapeth together riches by usury and loan, gathereth them for him that will be bountiful to the poor.
Whoever piles up riches by usury and profit gathers them for him who will give freely to the poor.
9 He that turneth away his ears from hearing the law, his prayer shall be as abomination.
Whoever turns away his ears from listening to the law: his prayer will be detestable.
10 He that deceiveth the just in a wicked way, shall fall in his own destruction: and the upright shall possess his goods.
Whoever deceives the just in a malicious way will fall into his own perdition. And the simple shall possess his goods.
11 The rich man seemeth to himself wise: but the poor man that is prudent shall search him out.
The rich one seems wise to himself. But the poor one, being prudent, shall evaluate him.
12 In the joy of the just there is great glory: when the wicked reign, men are ruined.
In the exultation of the just, there is great glory. When the impious reign, men are brought to ruin.
13 He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that shall confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy.
Whoever hides his crimes will not be guided. But whoever will have confessed and abandoned them shall overtake mercy.
14 Blessed is the man that is always fearful: but he that is hardened in mind, shall fall into evil.
Blessed is the man who is ever fearful. Yet truly, whoever is hardened in mind will fall into evil.
15 As a roaring lion, and a hungry bear, so is a wicked prince over the poor people.
An impious leader over a poor people is like a roaring lion and a hungry bear.
16 A prince void of prudence shall oppress many by calumny: but he that hateth covetousness, shall prolong his days.
A leader destitute of prudence will oppress many through false accusations. But whoever hates avarice shall prolong his days.
17 A man that doth violence to the blood of a person, if he flee even to the pit, no man will stay him.
A man who slanders the blood of a life, even if he flees to the pit, no one will tolerate him.
18 He that walketh uprightly, shall be saved: he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
Whoever walks simply shall be saved. Whoever is perverse in his steps will fall all at once.
19 He that tilleth his ground, shall be filled with bread: but he that followeth idleness shall be filled with poverty.
Whoever works his land shall be satisfied with bread. But whoever pursues leisure will be filled with need.
20 A faithful man shall be much praised: but he that maketh haste to be rich, shall not be innocent.
A faithful man shall be greatly praised. But whoever rushes to become rich will not be innocent.
21 He that hath respect to a person in judgment, doth not well: such a man even for a morsel of bread forsaketh the truth.
Whoever shows favoritism in judgment does not do well; even if it is for a morsel of bread, he forsakes the truth.
22 A man, that maketh haste to be rich, and envieth others, is ignorant that poverty shall come upon him.
A man who hurries to become rich, and who envies others, does not know that destitution will overwhelm him.
23 He that rebuketh a man, shall afterward find favour with him, more than he that by a flattering tongue deceiveth him.
Whoever corrects a man, afterward he shall find favor with him, more so than he who deceives him with a flattering tongue.
24 He that stealeth any thing from his father, or from his mother: and saith, This is no sin, is the partner of a murderer.
Whoever takes away anything from his father or mother, and who says, “This is not a sin,” is the associate of a murderer.
25 He that boasteth, and puffeth up himself, stirreth up quarrels: but he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be healed.
Whoever boasts and enlarges himself stirs up conflicts. Yet truly, whoever trusts in the Lord will be healed.
26 He that trusteth in his own heart, is a fool: but he that walketh wisely, he shall be saved.
Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool. But whoever treads wisely, the same shall be saved.
27 He that giveth to the poor, shall not want: he that despiseth his entreaty, shall suffer indigence.
Whoever gives to the poor shall not be in need. Whoever despises his petition will suffer scarcity.
28 When the wicked rise up, men shall hide themselves: when they perish, the lust shall be multiplied.
When the impious rise up, men will hide themselves. When they perish, the just shall be multiplied.
