Proverbs 28
1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are secure as a young lion.
The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer, And the righteous is confident as a young lion.
2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; but by a man of understanding and knowledge established order shall long continue.
By the transgression of a land its heads are many, And by an understanding man, Who knows right—it is prolonged.
3 A poor man that oppresseth the weak is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
A man—poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked; but such as keep the law contend with them.
Those forsaking the Law praise the wicked, Those keeping the Law plead against them.
5 Evil men understand not justice; but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
Evil men do not understand judgment, And those seeking YHWH understand all.
6 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.
7 A wise son observeth the teaching; but he that is a companion of gluttonous men shameth his father.
Whoever is keeping the Law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons Causes his father to blush.
8 He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, gathereth it for him that is gracious to the poor.
Whoever is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, Gathers it for one favoring the poor.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
Whoever is turning his ear from hearing the Law, Even his prayer [is] an abomination.
10 Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit; but the whole-hearted shall inherit good.
Whoever is causing the upright to err in an evil way, He falls into his own pit, And the perfect inherits good.
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him through.
A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searches him.
12 When the righteous exult, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men must be sought for.
In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.
13 He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.
Whoever is covering his transgressions does not prosper, And he who is confessing and forsaking has mercy.
14 Happy is the man that feareth alway; but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into evil.
O the blessedness of a man fearing continually, And whoever is hardening his heart falls into evil.
15 As a roaring lion, and a ravenous bear; so is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
A leader lacking understanding multiplies oppressions, Whoever is hating dishonest gain prolongs days.
17 A man that is laden with the blood of any person shall hasten his steps unto the pit; none will support him.
A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, Flees to the pit, [and] none takes hold on him [to help].
18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved; but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
Whoever is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falls at once.
19 He that tilleth his ground shall have plenty of bread; but he that followeth after vain things shall have poverty enough.
Whoever is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoever is pursuing vanity, Is filled [with] poverty.
20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.
A steadfast man has multiplied blessings, And whoever is hastening to be rich is not acquitted.
21 To have respect of persons is not good; for a man will transgress for a piece of bread.
[It] is not good to discern faces, And a man transgresses for a piece of bread.
22 He that hath an evil eye hasteneth after riches, and knoweth not that want shall come upon him.
The man [with] an evil eye [is] troubled for wealth, And he does not know that want meets him.
23 He that rebuketh a man shall in the end find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
Whoever is reproving a man finds grace afterward, More than a flatterer with the tongue.
24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith: 'It is no transgression', the same is the companion of a destroyer.
Whoever is robbing his father or his mother, And is saying, “It is not transgression,” He is a companion to a destroyer.
25 He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife; but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be abundantly gratified.
Whoever is proud in soul stirs up contention, And whoever is trusting on YHWH is made fat.
26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; but whoso walketh wisely, he shall escape.
Whoever is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoever is walking in wisdom is delivered.
27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
Whoever is giving to the poor has no lack, And whoever is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
A man is hidden in the rising of the wicked, And the righteous multiply in their destruction!
