Proverbs 28
1 The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer, And the righteous is confident as a young lion.
The wicked people run away when no one chases them, but righteous people are as bold 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.
Because of the transgression of a land, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, it will last a long time.
3 A man—poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
A poor person who oppresses other poor people is like a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those forsaking the Law praise the wicked, Those keeping the Law plead against them.
Those who forsake the law praise wicked people, but those who keep the law fight against them.
5 Evil men do not understand judgment, And those seeking YHWH understand all.
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek Yahweh understand everything.
6 Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.
It is better for a poor person who walks in his integrity, than for a rich person who is crooked in his ways.
7 Whoever is keeping the Law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons Causes his father to blush.
He who keeps the law is a son who has understanding, but one who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 Whoever is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, Gathers it for one favoring the poor.
The one who makes his fortune by charging too much interest gathers his wealth for another who will have pity on poor people.
9 Whoever is turning his ear from hearing the Law, Even his prayer [is] an abomination.
If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is 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 misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a good inheritance.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searches him.
The rich person may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor person who has understanding will find 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 arise, people are sought out.
13 Whoever is covering his transgressions does not prosper, And he who is confessing and forsaking has mercy.
The one who hides his sins will not prosper, but the one who confesses them and forsakes them will be shown mercy.
14 O the blessedness of a man fearing continually, And whoever is hardening his heart falls into evil.
The one who always lives with reverence is blessed, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into trouble.
15 A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor people.
16 A leader lacking understanding multiplies oppressions, Whoever is hating dishonest gain prolongs days.
The ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but the one who hates dishonesty will 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].
If a man is guilty because he has shed someone's blood, he will be a fugitive until death and no one will help him.
18 Whoever is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falls at once.
Whoever walks with integrity will be kept safe, but the one whose way is crooked will suddenly fall.
19 Whoever is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoever is pursuing vanity, Is filled [with] poverty.
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 A steadfast man has multiplied blessings, And whoever is hastening to be rich is not acquitted.
A faithful man will have great blessings, but the one who gets rich quickly will not go unpunished.
21 [It] is not good to discern faces, And a man transgresses for a piece of bread.
It is not good to show partiality, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 The man [with] an evil eye [is] troubled for wealth, And he does not know that want meets him.
A stingy man hurries after riches, but he does not know that poverty will come upon him.
23 Whoever is reproving a man finds grace afterward, More than a flatterer with the tongue.
Whoever disciplines someone, afterward will find more favor from him than from the one who flatters him 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.
Whoever robs his father and his mother and says, “That is no sin,” he is the companion of the one who destroys.
25 Whoever is proud in soul stirs up contention, And whoever is trusting on YHWH is made fat.
A greedy man stirs up conflict, but the one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
26 Whoever is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoever is walking in wisdom is delivered.
One who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks in wisdom will keep away from danger.
27 Whoever is giving to the poor has no lack, And whoever is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
The one who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but whoever closes his eyes to them will receive many curses.
28 A man is hidden in the rising of the wicked, And the righteous multiply in their destruction!
When the wicked arise, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
