Proverbs 28
1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer, And the righteous is confident as a young lion.
2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by men of understanding [and] knowledge the state [thereof] shall be prolonged.
By the transgression of a land its heads are many, And by an understanding man, Who knows right—it is prolonged.
3 A needy man that oppresseth the poor is [like] a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
A man—poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
Those forsaking the Law praise the wicked, Those keeping the Law plead against them.
5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
Evil men do not understand judgment, And those seeking YHWH understand all.
6 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in [his] ways, though he be rich.
Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.
7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of gluttonous men shameth his father.
Whoever is keeping the Law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons Causes his father to blush.
8 He that augmenteth his substance by usury and increase, gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.
Whoever is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, Gathers it for one favoring the poor.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
Whoever is turning his ear from hearing the Law, Even his prayer [is] an abomination.
10 Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the perfect shall inherit good.
Whoever is causing the upright to err in an evil way, He falls into his own pit, And the perfect inherits good.
11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searches him.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.
13 He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.
Whoever is covering his transgressions does not prosper, And he who is confessing and forsaking has mercy.
14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
O the blessedness of a man fearing continually, And whoever is hardening his heart falls into evil.
15 [As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; [so is] a wicked ruler over a poor people.
A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor: [but] he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
A leader lacking understanding multiplies oppressions, Whoever is hating dishonest gain prolongs days.
17 A man that is laden with the blood of any person shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him.
A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, Flees to the pit, [and] none takes hold on him [to help].
18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered: but he that is perverse in [his] ways shall fall at once.
Whoever is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falls at once.
19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain [persons] shall have poverty enough.
Whoever is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoever is pursuing vanity, Is filled [with] poverty.
20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.
A steadfast man has multiplied blessings, And whoever is hastening to be rich is not acquitted.
21 To have respect of persons is not good: neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.
[It] is not good to discern faces, And a man transgresses for a piece of bread.
22 He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches, and knoweth not that want shall come upon him.
The man [with] an evil eye [is] troubled for wealth, And he does not know that want meets him.
23 He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
Whoever is reproving a man finds grace afterward, More than a flatterer with the tongue.
24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
Whoever is robbing his father or his mother, And is saying, “It is not transgression,” He is a companion to a destroyer.
25 He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
Whoever is proud in soul stirs up contention, And whoever is trusting on YHWH is made fat.
26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
Whoever is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoever is walking in wisdom is delivered.
27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
Whoever is giving to the poor has no lack, And whoever is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
A man is hidden in the rising of the wicked, And the righteous multiply in their destruction!
