Proverbs 28
1 The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer. And the righteous as a young lion is confident.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are secure as a young lion.
2 By the transgression of a land many [are] its heads. And by an intelligent man, Who knoweth right — it is prolonged.
For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; but by a man of understanding and knowledge established order shall long continue.
3 A man — poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
A poor man that oppresseth the weak is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4 Those forsaking the law praise the wicked, Those keeping the law plead against them.
They that forsake the law praise the wicked; but such as keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men understand not judgment, And those seeking Jehovah understand all.
Evil men understand not justice; but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
6 Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7 Whoso is keeping the law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons, Doth cause his father to blush.
A wise son observeth the teaching; but he that is a companion of gluttonous men shameth his father.
8 Whoso is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, For one favouring the poor doth gather it.
He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, gathereth it for him that is gracious to the poor.
9 Whoso is turning his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer [is] an abomination.
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
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.
Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit; but the whole-hearted shall inherit good.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searcheth him.
The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him through.
12 In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.
When the righteous exult, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men must be sought for.
13 Whoso is covering his transgressions prospereth not, And he who is confessing and forsaking hath mercy.
He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.
14 O the happiness of a man fearing continually, And whoso is hardening his heart falleth into evil.
Happy is the man that feareth alway; but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into evil.
15 A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
As a roaring lion, and a ravenous bear; so is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A leader lacking understanding multiplieth oppressions, Whoso is hating dishonest gain prolongeth days.
The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17 A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, Unto the pit fleeth, none taketh hold on him.
A man that is laden with the blood of any person shall hasten his steps unto the pit; none will support him.
18 Whoso is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falleth at once.
Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved; but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19 Whoso is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoso is pursuing vanity, Is filled [with] poverty.
He that tilleth his ground shall have plenty of bread; but he that followeth after vain things shall have poverty enough.
20 A stedfast man hath multiplied blessings, And whoso is hasting to be rich is not acquitted.
A faithful man shall abound with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.
21 To discern faces is not good, And for a piece of bread doth a man transgress.
To have respect of persons is not good; for a man will transgress for a piece of bread.
22 Troubled for wealth [is] the man [with] an evil eye, And he knoweth not that want doth meet him.
He that hath an evil eye hasteneth after riches, and knoweth not that want shall come upon him.
23 Whoso is reproving a man afterwards findeth grace, More than a flatterer with the tongue.
He that rebuketh a man shall in the end find more favour than he that flattereth 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.
Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith: 'It is no transgression', the same is the companion of a destroyer.
25 Whoso is proud in soul stirreth up contention, And whoso is trusting on Jehovah is made fat.
He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife; but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be abundantly gratified.
26 Whoso is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoso is walking in wisdom is delivered.
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; but whoso walketh wisely, he shall escape.
27 Whoso is giving to the poor hath no lack, And whoso is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28 In the rising of the wicked a man is hidden, And in their destruction the righteous multiply!
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
