Proverbs 28
1 The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer, And the righteous is confident as a young lion.
The ungodly [man] flees when no one pursues: but the righteous is confident as a lion.
2 By the transgression of a land its heads are many, And by an understanding man, Who knows right—it is prolonged.
By reason of the sins of ungodly men quarrels arise; but a wise man will quell them.
3 A man—poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
A bold man oppresses the poor by ungodly deeds. As an impetuous and profitable rain,
4 Those forsaking the Law praise the wicked, Those keeping the Law plead against them.
so they that forsake the law praise ungodliness; but they that love the law fortify themselves with a wall.
5 Evil men do not understand judgment, And those seeking YHWH understand all.
Evil men will not understand judgement: but they that seek the Lord will understand everything.
6 Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.
A poor man walking in truth is better than a rich liar.
7 Whoever is keeping the Law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons Causes his father to blush.
A wise son keeps the law: but he that keeps up debauchery dishonours his father.
8 Whoever is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, Gathers it for one favoring the poor.
He that increases his wealth by usuries and [unjust] gains, gathers it for him that pities the poor.
9 Whoever is turning his ear from hearing the Law, Even his prayer [is] an abomination.
He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even he has made his prayer abominable.
10 Whoever is causing the upright to err in an evil way, He falls into his own pit, And the perfect inherits good.
He that causes upright men to err in an evil way, himself shall fall into destruction: transgressor also shall pass by prosperity, but shall not enter into it.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searches him.
A rich man is wise in his own conceit; but an intelligent poor man will condemn him.
12 In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.
By reason of the help of righteous men great glory arises: but in the places of the ungodly men are caught.
13 Whoever is covering his transgressions does not prosper, And he who is confessing and forsaking has mercy.
He that covers his own ungodliness shall not prosper: but he that blames [himself] shall be loved.
14 O the blessedness of a man fearing continually, And whoever is hardening his heart falls into evil.
Blessed is the man who religiously fears always: but the hard of heart shall fall into mischiefs.
15 A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
A hungry lion and a thirsty wolf [is he], who, being poor, rules over a poor nation.
16 A leader lacking understanding multiplies oppressions, Whoever is hating dishonest gain prolongs days.
A king in need of revenues is a great oppressor: but he that hates injustice shall live a long time.
17 A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, Flees to the pit, [and] none takes hold on him [to help].
He that becomes surety for a man charged with murder shall be an exile, and not in safety. Chasten your son, and he shall love you, and give honour to your soul: he shall not obey a sinful nation.
18 Whoever is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falls at once.
He that walks justly is assisted: but he that walks in crooked ways shall be entangled [therein].
19 Whoever is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoever is pursuing vanity, Is filled [with] poverty.
He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows idleness shall have plenty of poverty.
20 A steadfast man has multiplied blessings, And whoever is hastening to be rich is not acquitted.
A man worthy of credit shall be much blessed: but the wicked shall not be unpunished.
21 [It] is not good to discern faces, And a man transgresses for a piece of bread.
He that reverences not the persons of the just is not good: such a one will sell a man for a morsel of bread.
22 The man [with] an evil eye [is] troubled for wealth, And he does not know that want meets him.
An envious man makes haste to be rich, and knows not that the merciful man will have the mastery over him.
23 Whoever is reproving a man finds grace afterward, More than a flatterer with the tongue.
He that reproves a man's ways shall have more favour than he that flatters with the tongue.
24 Whoever is robbing his father or his mother, And is saying, “It is not transgression,” He is a companion to a destroyer.
He that casts off father or mother, and thinks he sins not; the same is partaker with an ungodly man.
25 Whoever is proud in soul stirs up contention, And whoever is trusting on YHWH is made fat.
An unbelieving man judges rashly: but he that trusts in the Lord will act carefully.
26 Whoever is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoever is walking in wisdom is delivered.
He that trusts to a bold heart, such an one is a fool: but he that walks in wisdom shall be safe.
27 Whoever is giving to the poor has no lack, And whoever is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
He that gives to the poor shall not be in lack: but he that turns away his eye [from him] shall be in great distress.
28 A man is hidden in the rising of the wicked, And the righteous multiply in their destruction!
In the places of ungodly [men] the righteous mourn: but in their destruction the righteous shall be multiplied.
