Proverbs 28
1 The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer. And the righteous as a young lion is confident.
The ungodly [man] flees when no one pursues: but the righteous is confident as a lion.
2 By the transgression of a land many [are] its heads. And by an intelligent man, Who knoweth right — it is prolonged.
By reason of the sins of ungodly men quarrels arise; but a wise man will quell them.
3 A man — poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
A bold man oppresses the poor by ungodly deeds. As an impetuous and profitable rain,
4 Those forsaking the law praise the wicked, Those keeping the law plead against them.
so they that forsake the law praise ungodliness; but they that love the law fortify themselves with a wall.
5 Evil men understand not judgment, And those seeking Jehovah understand all.
Evil men will not understand judgment: but they that seek the Lord will understand everything.
6 Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.
A poor man walking in truth is better than a rich liar.
7 Whoso is keeping the law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons, Doth cause his father to blush.
A wise son keeps the law: but he that keeps up debauchery dishonours his father.
8 Whoso is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, For one favouring the poor doth gather it.
He that increases his wealth by usuries and [unjust] gains, gathers it for him that pities the poor.
9 Whoso is turning his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer [is] an abomination.
He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even he has made his prayer abominable.
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.
He that causes upright men to err in an evil way, himself shall fall into destruction: transgressor also shall pass by prosperity, but shall not enter into it.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searcheth him.
A rich man is wise in his own conceit; but an intelligent poor man will condemn him.
12 In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.
By reason of the help of righteous men great glory arises: but in the places of the ungodly men are caught.
13 Whoso is covering his transgressions prospereth not, And he who is confessing and forsaking hath mercy.
He that covers his own ungodliness shall not prosper: but he that blames [himself] shall be loved.
14 O the happiness of a man fearing continually, And whoso is hardening his heart falleth into evil.
Blessed is the man who religiously fears always: but the hard of heart shall fall into mischiefs.
15 A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
A hungry lion and a thirsty wolf [is he], who, being poor, rules over a poor nation.
16 A leader lacking understanding multiplieth oppressions, Whoso is hating dishonest gain prolongeth days.
A king in need of revenues is a great oppressor: but he that hates injustice shall live a long time.
17 A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, Unto the pit fleeth, none taketh hold on him.
He that becomes surety for a man charged with murder shall be an exile, and not in safety. Chasten thy son, and he shall love thee, and give honour to thy soul: he shall not obey a sinful nation.
18 Whoso is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falleth at once.
He that walks justly is assisted: but he that walks in crooked ways shall be entangled [therein].
19 Whoso is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoso is pursuing vanity, Is filled [with] poverty.
He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows idleness shall have plenty of poverty.
20 A stedfast man hath multiplied blessings, And whoso is hasting to be rich is not acquitted.
A man worthy of credit shall be much blessed: but the wicked shall not be unpunished.
21 To discern faces is not good, And for a piece of bread doth a man transgress.
He that reverences not the persons of the just is not good: such a one will sell a man for a morsel of bread.
22 Troubled for wealth [is] the man [with] an evil eye, And he knoweth not that want doth meet him.
An envious man makes haste to be rich, and knows not that the merciful man will have the mastery over him.
23 Whoso is reproving a man afterwards findeth grace, More than a flatterer with the tongue.
He that reproves a man's ways shall have more favour than he that flatters with the 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 that casts off father or mother, and thinks he sins not; the same is partaker with an ungodly man.
25 Whoso is proud in soul stirreth up contention, And whoso is trusting on Jehovah is made fat.
An unbelieving man judges rashly: but he that trusts in the Lord will act carefully.
26 Whoso is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoso is walking in wisdom is delivered.
He that trusts to a bold heart, such an one is a fool: but he that walks in wisdom shall be safe.
27 Whoso is giving to the poor hath no lack, And whoso is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
He that gives to the poor shall not be in want: but he that turns away his eye [from him] shall be in great distress.
28 In the rising of the wicked a man is hidden, And in their destruction the righteous multiply!
In the places of ungodly [men] the righteous mourn: but in their destruction the righteous shall be multiplied.
