Proverbs 28
1 The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer, And the righteous is confident as a young lion.
The wicked run away even when no one is chasing them, but the good have the trusting boldness of lions.
2 By the transgression of a land its heads are many, And by an understanding man, Who knows right—it is prolonged.
When a country is in rebellion, it has many rulers, but a ruler who is wise and knowledgeable provides strength and continuity.
3 A man—poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
When someone poor oppresses the poor, it's like heavy rain that beats down the crops.
4 Those forsaking the Law praise the wicked, Those keeping the Law plead against them.
People who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law fight against them.
5 Evil men do not understand judgment, And those seeking YHWH understand all.
Evil people understand nothing about justice, but those who follow the Lord understand it completely.
6 Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.
Better to be poor and have integrity than to be devious and rich.
7 Whoever is keeping the Law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons Causes his father to blush.
If you keep the law, you're a wise son, but if you keep bad company you shame your father.
8 Whoever is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, Gathers it for one favoring the poor.
Anyone who gets rich through charging interest and profiteering is only storing it up for someone who is kind to the poor.
9 Whoever is turning his ear from hearing the Law, Even his prayer [is] an abomination.
God hates the prayers of people who disregard the law.
10 Whoever is causing the upright to err in an evil way, He falls into his own pit, And the perfect inherits good.
Those who lead good people astray into evil ways will fall into their own traps, but the innocent will receive a good reward.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searches him.
The rich see themselves as wise, but poor people with insight see right through them.
12 In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.
When good people win, everyone celebrates, but when the wicked come to power, people hide.
13 Whoever is covering his transgressions does not prosper, And he who is confessing and forsaking has mercy.
People who hide their sins won't succeed, but those who confess and renounce their sins will be shown kindness.
14 O the blessedness of a man fearing continually, And whoever is hardening his heart falls into evil.
Blessed are those who always respect the Lord, but those who are stubborn end up in a lot of trouble.
15 A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
A wicked ruler lording it over poor people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.
16 A leader lacking understanding multiplies oppressions, Whoever is hating dishonest gain prolongs days.
An unwise ruler thoroughly extorts his people, but one who refuses to profit illegally will live long.
17 A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, Flees to the pit, [and] none takes hold on him [to help].
Someone guilty of murder will go on running away from it until they die. Don't try and stop them.
18 Whoever is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falls at once.
If you have integrity, you'll be kept safe, but if you live deviously, you'll fall.
19 Whoever is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoever is pursuing vanity, Is filled [with] poverty.
If you cultivate the land you'll have plenty of food, but if you chase fantasies you'll end up with nothing.
20 A steadfast man has multiplied blessings, And whoever is hastening to be rich is not acquitted.
If you're trustworthy, you'll be richly rewarded; but if you try to get rich quick, you won't go unpunished.
21 [It] is not good to discern faces, And a man transgresses for a piece of bread.
Showing favoritism isn't good, but some people will do wrong just for a piece of bread.
22 The man [with] an evil eye [is] troubled for wealth, And he does not know that want meets him.
Envious people are in a rush to get rich; they don't realize they'll end up poor.
23 Whoever is reproving a man finds grace afterward, More than a flatterer with the tongue.
Honest criticism is appreciated later far more than flattery.
24 Whoever is robbing his father or his mother, And is saying, “It is not transgression,” He is a companion to a destroyer.
A man who robs his father and mother, and says, “It's not a crime,” is one step away from becoming a murderer.
25 Whoever is proud in soul stirs up contention, And whoever is trusting on YHWH is made fat.
Greedy people stir up trouble, but those who trust in the Lord will be successful.
26 Whoever is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoever is walking in wisdom is delivered.
People who trust their own minds are foolish, but those who follow wise ways will be kept safe.
27 Whoever is giving to the poor has no lack, And whoever is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
If you give to the poor, you won't be in need; but if you look the other way, you'll have many curses.
28 A man is hidden in the rising of the wicked, And the righteous multiply in their destruction!
When the wicked come to power, people hide; but when they fall, the good do well.
