Proverbs 28
1 The lawless, fleeth when no man pursueth, but, the righteous, like a lion, are confident.
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 For the transgressions of a land, many are the rulers thereof, but, under an intelligent and discerning man, stability is prolonged.
A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.
3 A poor man, who oppresseth the helpless, [is like] a rain beating down, leaving no food.
A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.
4 They who forsake instruction, praise one who is lawless, while, they who keep instruction, are at strife with them.
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.
5 Wicked men, consider not justice, but, they who seek Yahweh, consider everything.
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.
6 Better a poor man walking in his integrity, than one who is crooked—turning two ways, though, he, be rich.
Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.
7 He that keepeth instruction, is a son with discernment, but, a companion of squanderers, bringeth shame to his father.
A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
8 He that increaseth his substance by interest and profit, for one ready to favour the poor, doth gather it.
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing instruction, even his prayer, is an abomination.
Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
10 He that misguideth the upright into a hurtful way! into his own pit, he himself, shall fall, but, men of integrity, shall inherit good.
He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.
11 Wise in his own eyes, is the man that is rich, but, a poor man of discernment, searcheth him out.
A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.
12 In the exulting of the righteous, there is great glorying, but, when the lawless arise, a man must be sought for.
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13 He that covereth his transgressions, shall not prosper, but, he that confesseth and forsaketh, shall find compassion.
He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
14 How happy the man who is ever circumspect, whereas, he that hardeneth his heart, shall fall into calamity.
Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15 A growling lion, and a ranging bear, is a lawless ruler, over a poor people.
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
16 A leader, may lack intelligence, yet abound in oppressions, The hater of greed, shall lengthen out days.
A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.
17 A man oppressed with a person’s blood, unto a pit, shall flee, let them not hold him back.
A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.
18 He that walketh with integrity, shall be saved, but, he that is crooked, turning two ways, shall fall in one.
He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
19 He that tilleth his ground, shall have plenty of bread, but, he that pursueth empty-heads, shall have plenty of poverty.
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20 A man of fidelity, aboundeth in blessings, but, one hasting to be rich, shall not be held innocent.
A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 To take note of faces [in judgment], is not good, and, for a bit of bread, a man will transgress.
To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 A man, hasting to be rich, hath an evil eye, and knoweth not when want may overtake him.
A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.
23 He that reproveth a man, shall, afterwards, find more, favour, than he that useth a flattering tongue.
He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.
24 He that robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, companion, is he to one who wasteth.
He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys.
25 The ambitious in soul, stirreth up strife, but, he that trusteth in Yahweh, shall be enriched.
A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
26 He that trusteth his own heart, the same, is a dullard, but, he that walketh wisely, the same, shall be delivered.
He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
27 One who giveth to the poor, shall have no want, but, he that hideth his eyes, shall receive many a curse.
Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.
28 When lawless men rise, a common man will hide himself, but, when they perish, righteous men multiply.
When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
