Proverbs 28
1 The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer, And the righteous is confident as a young lion.
The impious flees, though no one pursues. But the just, like a confident lion, shall be without dread.
2 By the transgression of a land its heads are many, And by an understanding man, Who knows right—it is 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 man—poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
A poor man slandering the poor is like a violent rainstorm in advance of a famine.
4 Those forsaking the Law praise the wicked, Those keeping the Law plead against them.
Those who abandon the law praise the impious. Those who guard it are inflamed against him.
5 Evil men do not understand judgment, And those seeking YHWH understand all.
Evil men do not intend judgment. But those who inquire after the Lord turn their souls toward all things.
6 Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.
Better is the pauper walking in his simplicity, than the rich walking in ways of depravity.
7 Whoever is keeping the Law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons Causes his father to blush.
Whoever keeps the law is a wise son. But whoever feeds gluttons brings shame to his father.
8 Whoever is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, Gathers it for one favoring the poor.
Whoever piles up riches by usury and profit gathers them for him who will give freely to the poor.
9 Whoever is turning his ear from hearing the Law, Even his prayer [is] an abomination.
Whoever turns away his ears from listening to the law: his prayer will be detestable.
10 Whoever is causing the upright to err in an evil way, He falls into his own pit, And the perfect inherits good.
Whoever deceives the just in a malicious way will fall into his own perdition. And the simple shall possess his goods.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searches him.
The rich one seems wise to himself. But the poor one, being prudent, shall evaluate him.
12 In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.
In the exultation of the just, there is great glory. When the impious reign, men are brought to ruin.
13 Whoever is covering his transgressions does not prosper, And he who is confessing and forsaking has mercy.
Whoever hides his crimes will not be guided. But whoever will have confessed and abandoned them shall overtake mercy.
14 O the blessedness of a man fearing continually, And whoever is hardening his heart falls into evil.
Blessed is the man who is ever fearful. Yet truly, whoever is hardened in mind will fall into evil.
15 A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
An impious leader over a poor people is like a roaring lion and a hungry bear.
16 A leader lacking understanding multiplies oppressions, Whoever is hating dishonest gain prolongs days.
A leader destitute of prudence will oppress many through false accusations. But whoever hates avarice shall prolong his days.
17 A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, Flees to the pit, [and] none takes hold on him [to help].
A man who slanders the blood of a life, even if he flees to the pit, no one will tolerate him.
18 Whoever is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falls at once.
Whoever walks simply shall be saved. Whoever is perverse in his steps will fall all at once.
19 Whoever is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoever is pursuing vanity, Is filled [with] poverty.
Whoever works his land shall be satisfied with bread. But whoever pursues leisure will be filled with need.
20 A steadfast man has multiplied blessings, And whoever is hastening to be rich is not acquitted.
A faithful man shall be greatly praised. But whoever rushes to become rich will not be innocent.
21 [It] is not good to discern faces, And a man transgresses for a piece of bread.
Whoever shows favoritism in judgment does not do well; even if it is for a morsel of bread, he forsakes the truth.
22 The man [with] an evil eye [is] troubled for wealth, And he does not know that want meets him.
A man who hurries to become rich, and who envies others, does not know that destitution will overwhelm him.
23 Whoever is reproving a man finds grace afterward, More than a flatterer with the tongue.
Whoever corrects a man, afterward he shall find favor with him, more so than he who deceives him with a flattering tongue.
24 Whoever is robbing his father or his mother, And is saying, “It is not transgression,” He is a companion to a destroyer.
Whoever takes away anything from his father or mother, and who says, “This is not a sin,” is the associate of a murderer.
25 Whoever is proud in soul stirs up contention, And whoever is trusting on YHWH is made fat.
Whoever boasts and enlarges himself stirs up conflicts. Yet truly, whoever trusts in the Lord will be healed.
26 Whoever is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoever is walking in wisdom is delivered.
Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool. But whoever treads wisely, the same shall be saved.
27 Whoever is giving to the poor has no lack, And whoever is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
Whoever gives to the poor shall not be in need. Whoever despises his petition will suffer scarcity.
28 A man is hidden in the rising of the wicked, And the righteous multiply in their destruction!
When the impious rise up, men will hide themselves. When they perish, the just shall be multiplied.
