Proverbs 28
1 The lawless, fleeth when no man pursueth, but, the righteous, like a lion, are confident.
The ungodly [man] flees when no one pursues: but the righteous is confident 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.
By reason of the sins of ungodly men quarrels arise; but a wise man will quell them.
3 A poor man, who oppresseth the helpless, [is like] a rain beating down, leaving no food.
A bold man oppresses the poor by ungodly deeds. As an impetuous and profitable rain,
4 They who forsake instruction, praise one who is lawless, while, they who keep instruction, are at strife with them.
so they that forsake the law praise ungodliness; but they that love the law fortify themselves with a wall.
5 Wicked men, consider not justice, but, they who seek Yahweh, consider everything.
Evil men will not understand judgment: but they that seek the Lord will understand everything.
6 Better a poor man walking in his integrity, than one who is crooked—turning two ways, though, he, be rich.
A poor man walking in truth is better than a rich liar.
7 He that keepeth instruction, is a son with discernment, but, a companion of squanderers, bringeth shame to his father.
A wise son keeps the law: but he that keeps up debauchery dishonours his father.
8 He that increaseth his substance by interest and profit, for one ready to favour the poor, doth gather it.
He that increases his wealth by usuries and [unjust] gains, gathers it for him that pities the poor.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing instruction, even his prayer, is an abomination.
He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even he has made his prayer abominable.
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 that causes upright men to err in an evil way, himself shall fall into destruction: transgressor also shall pass by prosperity, but shall not enter into it.
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 conceit; but an intelligent poor man will condemn him.
12 In the exulting of the righteous, there is great glorying, but, when the lawless arise, a man must be sought for.
By reason of the help of righteous men great glory arises: but in the places of the ungodly men are caught.
13 He that covereth his transgressions, shall not prosper, but, he that confesseth and forsaketh, shall find compassion.
He that covers his own ungodliness shall not prosper: but he that blames [himself] shall be loved.
14 How happy the man who is ever circumspect, whereas, he that hardeneth his heart, shall fall into calamity.
Blessed is the man who religiously fears always: but the hard of heart shall fall into mischiefs.
15 A growling lion, and a ranging bear, is a lawless ruler, over a poor people.
A hungry lion and a thirsty wolf [is he], who, being poor, rules over a poor nation.
16 A leader, may lack intelligence, yet abound in oppressions, The hater of greed, shall lengthen out days.
A king in need of revenues is a great oppressor: but he that hates injustice shall live a long time.
17 A man oppressed with a person’s blood, unto a pit, shall flee, let them not hold him back.
He that becomes surety for a man charged with murder shall be an exile, and not in safety. Chasten thy son, and he shall love thee, and give honour to thy soul: he shall not obey a sinful nation.
18 He that walketh with integrity, shall be saved, but, he that is crooked, turning two ways, shall fall in one.
He that walks justly is assisted: but he that walks in crooked ways shall be entangled [therein].
19 He that tilleth his ground, shall have plenty of bread, but, he that pursueth empty-heads, shall have plenty of poverty.
He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows idleness shall have plenty of poverty.
20 A man of fidelity, aboundeth in blessings, but, one hasting to be rich, shall not be held innocent.
A man worthy of credit shall be much blessed: but the wicked shall not be unpunished.
21 To take note of faces [in judgment], is not good, and, for a bit of bread, a man will transgress.
He that reverences not the persons of the just is not good: such a one will sell a man for a morsel of bread.
22 A man, hasting to be rich, hath an evil eye, and knoweth not when want may overtake him.
An envious man makes haste to be rich, and knows not that the merciful man will have the mastery over him.
23 He that reproveth a man, shall, afterwards, find more, favour, than he that useth a flattering tongue.
He that reproves a man's ways shall have more favour than he that flatters with the tongue.
24 He that robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, companion, is he to one who wasteth.
He that casts off father or mother, and thinks he sins not; the same is partaker with an ungodly man.
25 The ambitious in soul, stirreth up strife, but, he that trusteth in Yahweh, shall be enriched.
An unbelieving man judges rashly: but he that trusts in the Lord will act carefully.
26 He that trusteth his own heart, the same, is a dullard, but, he that walketh wisely, the same, shall be delivered.
He that trusts to a bold heart, such an one is a fool: but he that walks in wisdom shall be safe.
27 One who giveth to the poor, shall have no want, but, he that hideth his eyes, shall receive many a curse.
He that gives to the poor shall not be in want: but he that turns away his eye [from him] shall be in great distress.
28 When lawless men rise, a common man will hide himself, but, when they perish, righteous men multiply.
In the places of ungodly [men] the righteous mourn: but in their destruction the righteous shall be multiplied.
