Proverbs 28

1 The wicked people run away when no one chases them, but righteous people are as bold as a young lion.

Wicked [people] run away [even] when no one is pursuing them, but righteous/good [people are not afraid]; they are as brave as lions.

2 Because of the transgression of a land, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, it will last a long time.

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.

3 A poor person who oppresses other poor people is like a beating rain that leaves no food.

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].

4 Those who forsake the law praise wicked people, but those who keep the law fight against them.

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.

5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek Yahweh understand everything.

Evil people do not understand what it means to act justly, but those who try to obey/worship Yahweh understand that very well.

6 It is better for a poor person who walks in his integrity, than for a rich person who is crooked in his ways.

It is better to be honest [even] though you are poor than to be dishonest [even] though you are rich.

7 He who keeps the law is a son who has understanding, but one who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.

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.

8 The one who makes his fortune by charging too much interest gathers his wealth for another who will have pity on poor people.

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.

9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.

If people do not obey [MTY] [God’s] laws, [God] (detests their prayers/considers that their prayers stink).

10 Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a good inheritance.

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).

11 The rich person may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor person who has understanding will find him out.

[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.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked arise, people are sought out.

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].

13 The one who hides his sins will not prosper, but the one who confesses them and forsakes them will be shown mercy.

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.

14 The one who always lives with reverence is blessed, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into trouble.

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

15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor people.

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].

16 The ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but the one who hates dishonesty will prolong his days.

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.

17 If a man is guilty because he has shed someone's blood, he will be a fugitive until death and no one will help him.

Those who are guilty of murdering [MTY] another person will (be fugitives/keep running away) until they die; do not help them to escape.

18 Whoever walks with integrity will be kept safe, but the one whose way is crooked will suddenly fall.

Those who [continually] do what is right will be safe/protected, but those who are dishonest will [suddenly] be ruined.

19 The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

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.

20 A faithful man will have great blessings, but the one who gets rich quickly will not go unpunished.

[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.

21 It is not good to show partiality, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

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].

22 A stingy man hurries after riches, but he does not know that poverty will come upon him.

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

23 Whoever disciplines someone, afterward will find more favor from him than from the one who flatters him with his tongue.

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).

24 Whoever robs his father and his mother and says, “That is no sin,” he is the companion of the one who destroys.

Anyone who steals things from his father or his mother and says “That is not sinful” is as bad as a bandit.

25 A greedy man stirs up conflict, but the one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.

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

26 One who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks in wisdom will keep away from danger.

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

27 The one who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but whoever closes his eyes to them will receive many curses.

Those who give things to poor [people] will not become poor, but many [people] will curse those who refuse to help [IDM] poor people.

28 When the wicked arise, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.

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.