Proverbs 28
1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer, And the righteous is confident as a young lion.
2 For the transgression of a land many [are] its princes: but by a man of understanding [and] knowledge the state [thereof] shall be prolonged.
By the transgression of a land its heads are many, And by an understanding man, Who knows right—it is prolonged.
3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor [is like] a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
A man—poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
Those forsaking the Law praise the wicked, Those keeping the Law plead against them.
5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all [things].
Evil men do not understand judgment, And those seeking YHWH understand all.
6 Better [is] the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than [he that is] perverse [in his] ways, though he [is] rich.
Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.
7 He who keepeth the law [is] a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous [men] shameth his father.
Whoever is keeping the Law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons Causes his father to blush.
8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
Whoever is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, Gathers it for one favoring the poor.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer [shall be] abomination.
Whoever is turning his ear from hearing the Law, Even his prayer [is] an abomination.
10 Whoever causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good [things] in possession.
Whoever is causing the upright to err in an evil way, He falls into his own pit, And the perfect inherits good.
11 The rich man [is] wise in his own conceit; but the poor man that hath understanding searcheth him out.
A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searches him.
12 When righteous [men] rejoice, [there is] great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.
13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but he who confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.
Whoever is covering his transgressions does not prosper, And he who is confessing and forsaking has mercy.
14 Happy [is] the man that feareth always: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
O the blessedness of a man fearing continually, And whoever is hardening his heart falls into evil.
15 [As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; [so is] a wicked ruler over the poor people.
A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 The prince that wanteth understanding [is] also a great oppressor: [but] he that hateth covetousness shall prolong [his] days.
A leader lacking understanding multiplies oppressions, Whoever is hating dishonest gain prolongs days.
17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of [any] person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, Flees to the pit, [and] none takes hold on him [to help].
18 He who walketh uprightly shall be saved: but [he that is] perverse [in his] ways shall fall at once.
Whoever is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falls at once.
19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain [persons] shall have poverty enough.
Whoever is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoever is pursuing vanity, Is filled [with] poverty.
20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
A steadfast man has multiplied blessings, And whoever is hastening to be rich is not acquitted.
21 To have respect of persons [is] not good: for, for a piece of bread [that] man will transgress.
[It] is not good to discern faces, And a man transgresses for a piece of bread.
22 He that hasteth to be rich [hath] an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
The man [with] an evil eye [is] troubled for wealth, And he does not know that want meets him.
23 He that rebuketh a man afterward shall find more favor than he that flattereth with the tongue.
Whoever is reproving a man finds grace afterward, More than a flatterer with the tongue.
24 He that robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, [It is] no transgression; the same [is] the companion of a destroyer.
Whoever is robbing his father or his mother, And is saying, “It is not transgression,” He is a companion to a destroyer.
25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
Whoever is proud in soul stirs up contention, And whoever is trusting on YHWH is made fat.
26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoever walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
Whoever is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoever is walking in wisdom is delivered.
27 He that giveth to the poor shall not want: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
Whoever is giving to the poor has no lack, And whoever is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
A man is hidden in the rising of the wicked, And the righteous multiply in their destruction!
