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.
For the transgression of a land many are its princes: but by a man of understanding and knowledge its state shall be prolonged.
3 A man—poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
A poor man that oppresseth the poor 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 judgment: 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 uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he is rich.
7 Whoever is keeping the Law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons Causes his father to blush.
He who keepeth the law is a wise son: 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 by interest and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that 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 abomination.
10 Whoever is causing the upright to err in an evil way, He falls into his own pit, And the perfect inherits good.
Whoever causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself 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 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 righteous men rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
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 who 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 is the man that feareth always: but he that 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 ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the 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 doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man sustain him.
18 Whoever is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falls at once.
He who 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 land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain 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 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: for 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 that hasteneth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth 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 afterward shall 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.
He that 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 proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
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 whoever 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 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 rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
