Proverbs 28
1 The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer. And the righteous as a young lion is confident.
The evil man goes running away when no man is after him, but the upright are without fear, like the lion.
2 By the transgression of a land many [are] its heads. And by an intelligent man, Who knoweth right — it is prolonged.
Because of the sin of the land, its troubles are increased; but by a man of wisdom and knowledge they will be put out like a fire.
3 A man — poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
A man of wealth who is cruel to the poor is like a violent rain causing destruction of food.
4 Those forsaking the law praise the wicked, Those keeping the law plead against them.
Those who have no respect for the law give praise to the evil-doer; but such as keep the law are against him.
5 Evil men understand not judgment, And those seeking Jehovah understand all.
Evil men have no knowledge of what is right; but those who go after the Lord have knowledge of all things.
6 Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.
Better is the poor man whose ways are upright, than the man of wealth whose ways are not straight.
7 Whoso is keeping the law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons, Doth cause his father to blush.
He who keeps the law is a wise son, but he who keeps company with feasters puts shame on his father.
8 Whoso is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, For one favouring the poor doth gather it.
He who makes his wealth greater by taking interest, only gets it together for him who has pity on the poor.
9 Whoso is turning his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer [is] an abomination.
As for the man whose ear is turned away from hearing the law, even his prayer is disgusting.
10 Whoso is causing the upright to err in an evil way, Into his own pit he doth fall, And the perfect do inherit good.
Anyone causing the upright to go wandering in an evil way, will himself go down into the hole he has made; but the upright will have good things for their heritage.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searcheth him.
The man of wealth seems to himself to be wise, but the poor man who has sense has a low opinion of him.
12 In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.
When the upright do well, there is great glory; but when evil-doers are lifted up, men do not let themselves be seen.
13 Whoso is covering his transgressions prospereth not, And he who is confessing and forsaking hath mercy.
He who keeps his sins secret will not do well; but one who is open about them, and gives them up, will get mercy.
14 O the happiness of a man fearing continually, And whoso is hardening his heart falleth into evil.
Happy is the man in whom is the fear of the Lord at all times; but he whose heart is hard will come into trouble.
15 A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
Like a loud-voiced lion and a wandering bear, is an evil ruler over a poor people.
16 A leader lacking understanding multiplieth oppressions, Whoso is hating dishonest gain prolongeth days.
The prince who has no sense is a cruel ruler; but he who has no desire to get profit for himself will have long life.
17 A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, Unto the pit fleeth, none taketh hold on him.
One who has been the cause of a man's death will go in flight to the underworld: let no man give him help.
18 Whoso is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falleth at once.
He whose ways are upright will be safe, but sudden will be the fall of him whose ways are twisted.
19 Whoso is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoso is pursuing vanity, Is filled [with] poverty.
By ploughing his land a man will have bread in full measure; but he who goes after good-for-nothing persons will be poor enough.
20 A stedfast man hath multiplied blessings, And whoso is hasting to be rich is not acquitted.
A man of good faith will have great blessing, but one attempting to get wealth quickly will not go free from punishment.
21 To discern faces is not good, And for a piece of bread doth a man transgress.
It is not good to have respect for a man's position: for a man will do wrong for a bit of bread.
22 Troubled for wealth [is] the man [with] an evil eye, And he knoweth not that want doth meet him.
He who is ever desiring wealth goes running after money, and does not see that need will come on him.
23 Whoso is reproving a man afterwards findeth grace, More than a flatterer with the tongue.
He who says words of protest to a man will later have more approval than one who says smooth words with his tongue.
24 Whoso is robbing his father, or his mother, And is saying, 'It is not transgression,' A companion he is to a destroyer.
He who takes from his father or his mother what is theirs by right, and says, It is no sin; is the same as a taker of life.
25 Whoso is proud in soul stirreth up contention, And whoso is trusting on Jehovah is made fat.
He who is ever desiring profit is a cause of fighting; but he who puts his faith in the Lord will be made fat.
26 Whoso is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoso is walking in wisdom is delivered.
He whose faith is in himself is foolish; but everyone walking wisely will be kept safe.
27 Whoso is giving to the poor hath no lack, And whoso is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
He who gives to the poor will never be in need, but great curses will be on him who gives no attention to them.
28 In the rising of the wicked a man is hidden, And in their destruction the righteous multiply!
When evil-doers are lifted up, men take cover; but when destruction overtakes them, the upright are increased.
