Proverbs 28
1 The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer, And the righteous is confident as a young lion.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold 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 the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; but by a man of understanding [and] of knowledge, [its] stability is prolonged.
3 A man—poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
A poor man who oppresseth the helpless is a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4 Those forsaking the Law praise the wicked, Those keeping the Law plead against them.
They that forsake the law praise the wicked; but such as keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men do not understand judgment, And those seeking YHWH understand all.
Evil men understand not judgment; but they that seek Jehovah understand everything.
6 Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse, double in ways, though he be rich.
7 Whoever is keeping the Law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons Causes his father to blush.
Whoso observeth the law is a son that hath understanding; but he that is a companion of profligates bringeth shame to his father.
8 Whoever is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, Gathers it for one favoring the poor.
He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance gathereth it for him that is gracious to the poor.
9 Whoever is turning his ear from hearing the Law, Even his prayer [is] an abomination.
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever is causing the upright to err in an evil way, He falls into his own pit, And the perfect inherits good.
Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, shall himself fall into his own pit; but the perfect shall inherit good.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searches him.
A rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12 In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men conceal themselves.
13 Whoever is covering his transgressions does not prosper, And he who is confessing and forsaking has mercy.
He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall obtain mercy.
14 O the blessedness of a man fearing continually, And whoever is hardening his heart falls into evil.
Happy is the man that feareth always; but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into evil.
15 A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
A roaring lion, and a ranging bear, is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A leader lacking understanding multiplies oppressions, Whoever is hating dishonest gain prolongs days.
The prince void of intelligence is also a great oppressor: he that hateth covetousness 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 laden with the blood of [any] person, fleeth to the pit: let no man stay him.
18 Whoever is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falls at once.
Whoso walketh in integrity shall be saved; but he that is perverted in [his] double ways, shall fall in one [of them].
19 Whoever is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoever is pursuing vanity, Is filled [with] poverty.
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth the worthless shall have poverty enough.
20 A steadfast man has multiplied blessings, And whoever is hastening to be rich is not acquitted.
A faithful man aboundeth with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
21 [It] is not good to discern faces, And a man transgresses for a piece of bread.
To have respect of persons is not good; but for a piece of bread will a man transgress.
22 The man [with] an evil eye [is] troubled for wealth, And he does not know that want meets him.
He that hath an evil eye hasteth after wealth, and knoweth not that poverty shall come upon him.
23 Whoever is reproving a man finds grace afterward, More than a flatterer with the tongue.
He that rebuketh a man shall afterwards find more favour than he that flattereth 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.
Whoso robbeth his father and his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, the same is the companion of a destroyer.
25 Whoever is proud in soul stirs up contention, And whoever is trusting on YHWH is made fat.
He that is puffed up in soul exciteth contention; but he that relieth upon Jehovah shall be made fat.
26 Whoever is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoever is walking in wisdom is delivered.
He that confideth in his own heart is a fool; but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27 Whoever is giving to the poor has no lack, And whoever is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; but he that withdraweth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28 A man is hidden in the rising of the wicked, And the righteous multiply in their destruction!
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
