< 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 secure as a young lion.
2 By the transgression of a land its heads are many, And by an understanding man, Who knows right—it is prolonged.
For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; but by a man of understanding and knowledge established order shall long continue.
3 A man—poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
A poor man that oppresseth the weak is like 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 justice; but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
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 in his 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.
A wise son observeth the teaching; but he that is a companion of gluttonous men shameth his father.
8 Whoever is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, Gathers it for one favoring the poor.
He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, 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, he shall fall himself into his own pit; but the whole-hearted shall inherit good.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searches him.
The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him through.
12 In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.
When the righteous exult, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men must be sought for.
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 alway; 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.
As a roaring lion, and a ravenous bear; so is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A leader lacking understanding multiplies oppressions, Whoever is hating dishonest gain prolongs days.
The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; but 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 that is laden with the blood of any person shall hasten his steps unto the pit; none will support him.
18 Whoever is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falls at once.
Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved; but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19 Whoever is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoever is pursuing vanity, Is filled [with] poverty.
He that tilleth his ground shall have plenty of bread; but he that followeth after vain things shall have poverty enough.
20 A steadfast man has multiplied blessings, And whoever is hastening to be rich is not acquitted.
A faithful man shall abound with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.
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; for a man will transgress 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.
He that hath an evil eye hasteneth after riches, and knoweth not that want 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 in the end 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 or 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 of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife; but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be abundantly gratified.
26 Whoever is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoever is walking in wisdom is delivered.
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; but whoso walketh wisely, he shall escape.
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 hideth 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.