Proverbs 28

1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Wicked [people] run away [even] when no one is pursuing them, but righteous/good [people are not afraid]; they are as brave as lions.

2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

When [the people of] a nation sin, they will have one ruler after another; but when their leaders are wise and have good sense, their government will last for a long time.

3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

A poor person who oppresses [other] poor [people] is [like] [MET] a very heavy/hard rain that [destroys the crops], with the result that there is no food [for people to eat].

4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

Those who reject/disobey [God’s] laws always speak well of wicked [people]; but those who obey [God’s] laws [always] oppose what wicked people do.

5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek YHWH understand all things.

Evil people do not understand what it means to act justly, but those who try to obey/worship Yahweh understand that very well.

6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

It is better to be honest [even] though you are poor than to be dishonest [even] though you are rich.

7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

Young people who obey the laws are wise [IDM]; parents whose children associate with those who (carouse/go to wild parties) are humiliated/disgraced because of what their children do.

8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

When people become very rich by charging very high interest [DOU], their money will [eventually] go to someone who does kind things for the poor.

9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

If people do not obey [MTY] [God’s] laws, [God] (detests their prayers/considers that their prayers stink).

10 Whoso 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.

Those who cause honest/good [people] to do what is evil will fall into their own pits/traps, but good things will happen to those who (are innocent/have not done what is wrong).

11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

[Many] rich people think that they are wise, but poor people who have good sense will find out whether rich people really are wise or not.

12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

When righteous/good [people] (succeed/win [elections]), everyone (celebrates/is happy); but when wicked [people win], everyone hides [because they are afraid of what the wicked people will do].

13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Those who refuse to confess/admit their sins will not prosper, but [God] acts mercifully/kindly toward those who confess their sins and turn away from their sinful behavior.

14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

[God] is pleased with those who always revere him, but those who are stubborn [IDM] will experience disasters.

15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

Wicked people who [mistreat] poor people whom they rule are [as dangerous to them as] [SIM] a lion roaring [at them] or a bear springing up [to attack them].

16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

Rulers who do not have good sense cruelly oppress [the people they rule], but rulers who do not want to become rich by cheating/deceiving [people] will live (OR, rule) for a long time.

17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

Those who are guilty of murdering [MTY] another person will (be fugitives/keep running away) until they die; do not help them to escape.

18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

Those who [continually] do what is right will be safe/protected, but those who are dishonest will [suddenly] be ruined.

19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

Farmers who work [hard] in their fields will [produce good crops and always] have plenty of food [to eat], but those who spend all their time (on useless projects/doing things that do not benefit anyone) will become very poor.

20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

[God] will greatly bless those who (are trustworthy/always do what they say that they will do), but he will certainly punish [LIT] those who try to become rich quickly.

21 To have respect of persons is not good: for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

It is not good [for judges] to decide matters unfairly/unjustly, but [some] people will do what is wrong [even] if they receive [only] a very small bribe [HYP] [for doing it].

22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

Selfish people [IDM] are very eager to become rich quickly; they do not realize that they will [soon] become poor.

23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

Those who rebuke someone will be appreciated/thanked more than those who [say nice things to others merely] to (flatter them/cause them to feel good).

24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

Anyone who steals things from his father or his mother and says “That is not sinful” is as bad as a bandit.

25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in YHWH shall be made fat.

Greedy people cause trouble/strife; those who trust in Yahweh will prosper [IDM].

26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Those who believe that what they think [is always right] are foolish; those who act wisely will (escape danger/be safe).

27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

Those who give things to poor [people] will not become poor, but many [people] will curse those who refuse to help [IDM] poor people.

28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

When wicked [people] become rulers, people hide [because they are afraid of what those wicked people will do]; but when wicked people are no longer rulers, good/righteous [people will] become the rulers.