Proverbs 28
1 The wicked run away even when no one is chasing them, but the good have the trusting boldness of lions.
The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer. And the righteous as a young lion is confident.
2 When a country is in rebellion, it has many rulers, but a ruler who is wise and knowledgeable provides strength and continuity.
By the transgression of a land many [are] its heads. And by an intelligent man, Who knoweth right — it is prolonged.
3 When someone poor oppresses the poor, it's like heavy rain that beats down the crops.
A man — poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
4 People who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law fight against them.
Those forsaking the law praise the wicked, Those keeping the law plead against them.
5 Evil people understand nothing about justice, but those who follow the Lord understand it completely.
Evil men understand not judgment, And those seeking Jehovah understand all.
6 Better to be poor and have integrity than to be devious and rich.
Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.
7 If you keep the law, you're a wise son, but if you keep bad company you shame your father.
Whoso is keeping the law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons, Doth cause his father to blush.
8 Anyone who gets rich through charging interest and profiteering is only storing it up for someone who is kind to the poor.
Whoso is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, For one favouring the poor doth gather it.
9 God hates the prayers of people who disregard the law.
Whoso is turning his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer [is] an abomination.
10 Those who lead good people astray into evil ways will fall into their own traps, but the innocent will receive a good reward.
Whoso is causing the upright to err in an evil way, Into his own pit he doth fall, And the perfect do inherit good.
11 The rich see themselves as wise, but poor people with insight see right through them.
A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searcheth him.
12 When good people win, everyone celebrates, but when the wicked come to power, people hide.
In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.
13 People who hide their sins won't succeed, but those who confess and renounce their sins will be shown kindness.
Whoso is covering his transgressions prospereth not, And he who is confessing and forsaking hath mercy.
14 Blessed are those who always respect the Lord, but those who are stubborn end up in a lot of trouble.
O the happiness of a man fearing continually, And whoso is hardening his heart falleth into evil.
15 A wicked ruler lording it over poor people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.
A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 An unwise ruler thoroughly extorts his people, but one who refuses to profit illegally will live long.
A leader lacking understanding multiplieth oppressions, Whoso is hating dishonest gain prolongeth days.
17 Someone guilty of murder will go on running away from it until they die. Don't try and stop them.
A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, Unto the pit fleeth, none taketh hold on him.
18 If you have integrity, you'll be kept safe, but if you live deviously, you'll fall.
Whoso is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falleth at once.
19 If you cultivate the land you'll have plenty of food, but if you chase fantasies you'll end up with nothing.
Whoso is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoso is pursuing vanity, Is filled [with] poverty.
20 If you're trustworthy, you'll be richly rewarded; but if you try to get rich quick, you won't go unpunished.
A stedfast man hath multiplied blessings, And whoso is hasting to be rich is not acquitted.
21 Showing favoritism isn't good, but some people will do wrong just for a piece of bread.
To discern faces is not good, And for a piece of bread doth a man transgress.
22 Envious people are in a rush to get rich; they don't realize they'll end up poor.
Troubled for wealth [is] the man [with] an evil eye, And he knoweth not that want doth meet him.
23 Honest criticism is appreciated later far more than flattery.
Whoso is reproving a man afterwards findeth grace, More than a flatterer with the tongue.
24 A man who robs his father and mother, and says, “It's not a crime,” is one step away from becoming a murderer.
Whoso is robbing his father, or his mother, And is saying, 'It is not transgression,' A companion he is to a destroyer.
25 Greedy people stir up trouble, but those who trust in the Lord will be successful.
Whoso is proud in soul stirreth up contention, And whoso is trusting on Jehovah is made fat.
26 People who trust their own minds are foolish, but those who follow wise ways will be kept safe.
Whoso is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoso is walking in wisdom is delivered.
27 If you give to the poor, you won't be in need; but if you look the other way, you'll have many curses.
Whoso is giving to the poor hath no lack, And whoso is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
28 When the wicked come to power, people hide; but when they fall, the good do well.
In the rising of the wicked a man is hidden, And in their destruction the righteous multiply!
