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 man pursueth: but the righteous are 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.

For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by men of understanding [and] knowledge the state [thereof] shall be prolonged.

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 needy man that oppresseth the poor is [like] 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 that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as 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.

Evil men understand not judgment: but they that 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 the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that 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.

Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of gluttonous men shameth 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 augmenteth his substance by usury and increase, gathereth it for him that hath pity on 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 is 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).

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.

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 that hath understanding searcheth him out.

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 triumph, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, 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 transgressions shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.

14 [God] is pleased with those who always revere him, but those who are stubborn [IDM] will experience disasters.

Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that 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 ranging bear; [so is] a wicked ruler over a poor 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 that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor: [but] he that hateth covetousness 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 that is laden with the blood of any person shall flee unto 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.

Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered: but he that 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 that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain [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 be 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 of persons is not good: neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.

22 Selfish people [IDM] are very eager to become rich quickly; they do not realize that they will [soon] become poor.

He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches, and knoweth not that want shall 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 that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favour than he that flattereth with the 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 robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

25 Greedy people cause trouble/strife; those who trust in Yahweh will prosper [IDM].

He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

26 Those who believe that what they think [is always right] are foolish; those who act wisely will (escape danger/be safe).

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he 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 that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: 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 rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.