Proverbs 28
1 Wicked [people] run away [even] when no one is pursuing them, but righteous/good [people are not afraid]; they are as brave as lions.
The wicked flee when no one pursueth; But the righteous is as bold as a lion.
2 When [the people of] a nation sin, they will have one ruler after another; but when their leaders are wise and have good sense, their government will last for a long time.
Through the transgression of a land many are its rulers; But through men of prudence and understanding the prince shall live long.
3 A poor person who oppresses [other] poor [people] is [like] [MET] a very heavy/hard rain that [destroys the crops], with the result that there is no food [for people to eat].
A poor man who oppresseth the needy Is a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4 Those who reject/disobey [God’s] laws always speak well of wicked [people]; but those who obey [God’s] laws [always] oppose what wicked people do.
They who forsake the law praise the wicked; But they who keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil people do not understand what it means to act justly, but those who try to obey/worship Yahweh understand that very well.
Wicked men understand not equity; But they who seek the LORD understand all things.
6 It is better to be honest [even] though you are poor than to be dishonest [even] though you are rich.
Better is a poor man who walketh in uprightness, Than he who is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7 Young people who obey the laws are wise [IDM]; parents whose children associate with those who (carouse/go to wild parties) are humiliated/disgraced because of what their children do.
He that keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is the companion of prodigals bringeth shame on his father.
8 When people become very rich by charging very high interest [DOU], their money will [eventually] go to someone who does kind things for the poor.
He that increaseth his substance by usurious gain Gathereth it for him who will pity the poor.
9 If people do not obey [MTY] [God’s] laws, [God] (detests their prayers/considers that their prayers stink).
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer shall be an abomination.
10 Those who cause honest/good [people] to do what is evil will fall into their own pits/traps, but good things will happen to those who (are innocent/have not done what is wrong).
He that causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way Shall himself fall into his own pit; But the upright shall have good things in possession.
11 [Many] rich people think that they are wise, but poor people who have good sense will find out whether rich people really are wise or not.
The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor man, who hath understanding, will search him through.
12 When righteous/good [people] (succeed/win [elections]), everyone (celebrates/is happy); but when wicked [people win], everyone hides [because they are afraid of what the wicked people will do].
When the righteous rejoice, there is great glorying; But, when the wicked are exalted, men hide themselves.
13 Those who refuse to confess/admit their sins will not prosper, but [God] acts mercifully/kindly toward those who confess their sins and turn away from their sinful behavior.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; But he that confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
14 [God] is pleased with those who always revere him, but those who are stubborn [IDM] will experience disasters.
Happy the man who feareth always! But he who hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15 Wicked people who [mistreat] poor people whom they rule are [as dangerous to them as] [SIM] a lion roaring [at them] or a bear springing up [to attack them].
As a roaring lion and a hungry bear, So is a wicked ruler over a needy people.
16 Rulers who do not have good sense cruelly oppress [the people they rule], but rulers who do not want to become rich by cheating/deceiving [people] will live (OR, rule) for a long time.
The prince who is weak in understanding is great in oppression; But he who hateth unjust gain shall prolong his days.
17 Those who are guilty of murdering [MTY] another person will (be fugitives/keep running away) until they die; do not help them to escape.
A man who is burdened with life-blood—Let him flee to the pit! let no man stay him!
18 Those who [continually] do what is right will be safe/protected, but those who are dishonest will [suddenly] be ruined.
He who walketh uprightly shall be safe; But he who is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19 Farmers who work [hard] in their fields will [produce good crops and always] have plenty of food [to eat], but those who spend all their time (on useless projects/doing things that do not benefit anyone) will become very poor.
He who tilleth his land shall have bread enough; And he that followeth after worthless persons shall have poverty enough.
20 [God] will greatly bless those who (are trustworthy/always do what they say that they will do), but he will certainly punish [LIT] those who try to become rich quickly.
A faithful man shall abound with blessings; But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not go unpunished.
21 It is not good [for judges] to decide matters unfairly/unjustly, but [some] people will do what is wrong [even] if they receive [only] a very small bribe [HYP] [for doing it].
To have respect to persons is not good; Since for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
22 Selfish people [IDM] are very eager to become rich quickly; they do not realize that they will [soon] become poor.
He who hath an evil eye hasteth after wealth, And considereth not that poverty will come upon him.
23 Those who rebuke someone will be appreciated/thanked more than those who [say nice things to others merely] to (flatter them/cause them to feel good).
He who rebuketh a man shall afterwards find favor More than he who flattereth with his tongue.
24 Anyone who steals things from his father or his mother and says “That is not sinful” is as bad as a bandit.
Whoso stealeth from his father or his mother, And saith, “It is no transgression,” The same is the companion of a robber.
25 Greedy people cause trouble/strife; those who trust in Yahweh will prosper [IDM].
He who is of a proud heart stirreth up strife; But he that trusteth in the LORD shall be rich.
26 Those who believe that what they think [is always right] are foolish; those who act wisely will (escape danger/be safe).
He who trusteth in his own understanding is a fool; But he who walketh wisely shall be delivered.
27 Those who give things to poor [people] will not become poor, but many [people] will curse those who refuse to help [IDM] poor people.
He who giveth to the poor shall not want; But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28 When wicked [people] become rulers, people hide [because they are afraid of what those wicked people will do]; but when wicked people are no longer rulers, good/righteous [people will] become the rulers.
When the wicked are exalted, men hide themselves; But, when they perish, the righteous increase.
