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 one pursueth; But the righteous is as 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.
Through the transgression of a land many are its rulers; But through men of prudence and understanding the prince shall live long.
3 A man—poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
A poor man who oppresseth the needy Is a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4 Those forsaking the Law praise the wicked, Those keeping the Law plead against them.
They who forsake the law praise the wicked; But they who keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men do not understand judgment, And those seeking YHWH understand all.
Wicked men understand not equity; But they who 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 a poor man who walketh in uprightness, Than he who 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.
He that keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is the companion of prodigals bringeth shame on his father.
8 Whoever is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, Gathers it for one favoring the poor.
He that increaseth his substance by usurious gain Gathereth it for him who will pity 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 shall be 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.
He that causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way Shall himself fall into his own pit; But the upright shall have good things in possession.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searches him.
The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor man, who hath understanding, will search 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 rejoice, there is great glorying; But, when the wicked are exalted, men hide themselves.
13 Whoever is covering his transgressions does not prosper, And he who is confessing and forsaking has mercy.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; But he that confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
14 O the blessedness of a man fearing continually, And whoever is hardening his heart falls into evil.
Happy the man who feareth always! But he who hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15 A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
As a roaring lion and a hungry bear, So is a wicked ruler over a needy people.
16 A leader lacking understanding multiplies oppressions, Whoever is hating dishonest gain prolongs days.
The prince who is weak in understanding is great in oppression; But he who hateth unjust gain 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 is burdened with life-blood—Let him flee to the pit! let no man stay him!
18 Whoever is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falls at once.
He who walketh uprightly shall be safe; But he who 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 who tilleth his land shall have bread enough; And he that followeth after worthless persons 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 go unpunished.
21 [It] is not good to discern faces, And a man transgresses for a piece of bread.
To have respect to persons is not good; Since for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
22 The man [with] an evil eye [is] troubled for wealth, And he does not know that want meets him.
He who hath an evil eye hasteth after wealth, And considereth not that poverty will come upon him.
23 Whoever is reproving a man finds grace afterward, More than a flatterer with the tongue.
He who rebuketh a man shall afterwards find favor More than he who flattereth with his 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 stealeth from his father or his mother, And saith, “It is no transgression,” The same is the companion of a robber.
25 Whoever is proud in soul stirs up contention, And whoever is trusting on YHWH is made fat.
He who is of a proud heart stirreth up strife; But he that trusteth in the LORD shall be rich.
26 Whoever is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoever is walking in wisdom is delivered.
He who trusteth in his own understanding is a fool; But he who walketh wisely shall be delivered.
27 Whoever is giving to the poor has no lack, And whoever is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
He who giveth to the poor shall not want; 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 are exalted, men hide themselves; But, when they perish, the righteous increase.
