Proverbs 28
1 A wickid man fleeth, whanne no man pursueth; but a iust man as a lioun tristynge schal be with out ferdfulnesse.
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 For the synnes of the lond ben many princis therof; and for the wisdom of a man, and for the kunnyng of these thingis that ben seid, the lijf of the duyk schal be lengere.
A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.
3 A pore man falsli calengynge pore men, is lijk a grete reyn, wherynne hungur is maad redi.
A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.
4 Thei that forsaken the lawe, preisen a wickid man; thei that kepen `the lawe, ben kyndlid ayens hym.
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.
5 Wickid men thenken not doom; but thei that seken the Lord, perseyuen alle thingis.
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.
6 Betere is a pore man goynge in his sympilnesse, than a riche man in schrewid weies.
Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.
7 He that kepith the lawe, is a wijs sone; but he that fedith glotouns, schendith his fadir.
A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
8 He that gaderith togidere richessis bi vsuris, and fre encrees, gaderith tho togidere ayens pore men.
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.
9 His preyer schal be maad cursid, that bowith awei his eere; that he here not the lawe.
Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
10 He that disseyueth iust men in an yuel weye, schal falle in his perisching; and iuste men schulen welde hise goodis.
He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.
11 A ryche man semeth wijs to him silf; but a pore man prudent schal serche him.
A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.
12 In enhaunsing of iust men is miche glorie; whanne wickid men regnen, fallyngis of men ben.
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13 He that hidith hise grete trespassis, schal not be maad riytful; but he that knoulechith and forsakith tho, schal gete merci.
He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
14 Blessid is the man, which is euere dredeful; but he that is `harde of soule, schal falle in to yuel.
Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15 A rorynge lioun, and an hungry bere, is a wickid prince on a pore puple.
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
16 A duyk nedi of prudence schal oppresse many men bi fals chalenge; but the daies of hym that hatith aueryce, schulen be maad longe.
A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.
17 No man susteyneth a man that falsly chalengith the blood of a man, if he fleeth `til to the lake.
A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.
18 He that goith simpli, schal be saaf; he that goith bi weiward weies, schal falle doun onys.
He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
19 He that worchith his lond, schal be fillid with looues; he that sueth ydelnesse, schal be fillid with nedynesse.
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20 A feithful man schal be preisid myche; but he that hastith to be maad riche, schal not be innocent.
A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 He that knowith a face in doom, doith not wel; this man forsakith treuthe, yhe, for a mussel of breed.
To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 A man that hastith to be maad riche, and hath enuye to othere men; woot not that nedinesse schal come on hym.
A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.
23 He that repreueth a man, schal fynde grace aftirward at hym; more than he that disseyueth bi flateryngis of tunge.
He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.
24 He that withdrawith ony thing fro his fadir and fro his modir, and seith that this is no synne, is parcener of a manquellere.
He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys.
25 He that auauntith hym silf, and alargith, reisith stryues; but he that hopith in the Lord, schal be sauyd.
A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
26 He that tristith in his herte, is a fool; but he that goith wiseli,
He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
27 schal be preysid. He that yyueth to a pore man, schal not be nedi; he that dispisith `a pore man bisechynge, schal suffre nedynesse.
Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.
28 Whanne vnpitouse men risen, men schulen be hid; whanne tho `vnpitouse men han perischid, iust men schulen be multiplied.
When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
