Proverbs 28
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
The wicked run away even when no one is chasing them, but the good have the trusting boldness of lions.
2 In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
When a country is in rebellion, it has many rulers, but a ruler who is wise and knowledgeable provides strength and continuity.
3 A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.
When someone poor oppresses the poor, it's like heavy rain that beats down the crops.
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them.
People who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law fight against them.
5 Evil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek Yahweh understand it fully.
Evil people understand nothing about justice, but those who follow the Lord understand it completely.
6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
Better to be poor and have integrity than to be devious and rich.
7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
If you keep the law, you're a wise son, but if you keep bad company you shame your father.
8 He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.
Anyone who gets rich through charging interest and profiteering is only storing it up for someone who is kind to the poor.
9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
God hates the prayers of people who disregard the law.
10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good.
Those who lead good people astray into evil ways will fall into their own traps, but the innocent will receive a good reward.
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
The rich see themselves as wise, but poor people with insight see right through them.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
When good people win, everyone celebrates, but when the wicked come to power, people hide.
13 He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
People who hide their sins won't succeed, but those who confess and renounce their sins will be shown kindness.
14 Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
Blessed are those who always respect the Lord, but those who are stubborn end up in a lot of trouble.
15 As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
A wicked ruler lording it over poor people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.
16 A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
An unwise ruler thoroughly extorts his people, but one who refuses to profit illegally will live long.
17 A man who is tormented by blood guilt will be a fugitive until death. No one will support him.
Someone guilty of murder will go on running away from it until they die. Don't try and stop them.
18 Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.
If you have integrity, you'll be kept safe, but if you live deviously, you'll fall.
19 One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
If you cultivate the land you'll have plenty of food, but if you chase fantasies you'll end up with nothing.
20 A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
If you're trustworthy, you'll be richly rewarded; but if you try to get rich quick, you won't go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
Showing favoritism isn't good, but some people will do wrong just for a piece of bread.
22 A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.
Envious people are in a rush to get rich; they don't realize they'll end up poor.
23 One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.
Honest criticism is appreciated later far more than flattery.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is a partner with a destroyer.
A man who robs his father and mother, and says, “It's not a crime,” is one step away from becoming a murderer.
25 One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
Greedy people stir up trouble, but those who trust in the Lord will be successful.
26 One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
People who trust their own minds are foolish, but those who follow wise ways will be kept safe.
27 One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
If you give to the poor, you won't be in need; but if you look the other way, you'll have many curses.
28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.
When the wicked come to power, people hide; but when they fall, the good do well.
