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 one pursueth; But the righteous is as bold 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.
Through the transgression of a land many are its rulers; But through men of prudence and understanding the prince shall live long.
3 A man — poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
A poor man who oppresseth the needy Is a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4 Those forsaking the law praise the wicked, Those keeping the law plead against them.
They who forsake the law praise the wicked; But they who keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men understand not judgment, And those seeking Jehovah understand all.
Wicked men understand not equity; But they who 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 a poor man who walketh in uprightness, Than he who 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.
He that keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is the companion of prodigals bringeth shame on his father.
8 Whoso is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, For one favouring the poor doth gather it.
He that increaseth his substance by usurious gain Gathereth it for him who will pity 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 shall be 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.
He that causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way Shall himself fall into his own pit; But the upright shall have good things in possession.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searcheth him.
The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor man, who hath understanding, will search 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 rejoice, there is great glorying; But, when the wicked are exalted, men hide themselves.
13 Whoso is covering his transgressions prospereth not, And he who is confessing and forsaking hath mercy.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; But he that confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
14 O the happiness of a man fearing continually, And whoso is hardening his heart falleth into evil.
Happy the man who feareth always! But he who hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15 A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
As a roaring lion and a hungry bear, So is a wicked ruler over a needy people.
16 A leader lacking understanding multiplieth oppressions, Whoso is hating dishonest gain prolongeth days.
The prince who is weak in understanding is great in oppression; But he who hateth unjust gain 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 who is burdened with life-blood—Let him flee to the pit! let no man stay him!
18 Whoso is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falleth at once.
He who walketh uprightly shall be safe; But he who 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 who tilleth his land shall have bread enough; And he that followeth after worthless persons 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 go unpunished.
21 To discern faces is not good, And for a piece of bread doth a man transgress.
To have respect to persons is not good; Since for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
22 Troubled for wealth [is] the man [with] an evil eye, And he knoweth not that want doth meet him.
He who hath an evil eye hasteth after wealth, And considereth not that poverty will come upon him.
23 Whoso is reproving a man afterwards findeth grace, More than a flatterer with the tongue.
He who rebuketh a man shall afterwards find favor More than he who flattereth 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.
Whoso stealeth from his father or his mother, And saith, “It is no transgression,” The same is the companion of a robber.
25 Whoso is proud in soul stirreth up contention, And whoso is trusting on Jehovah is made fat.
He who is of a proud heart stirreth up strife; But he that trusteth in the LORD shall be rich.
26 Whoso is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoso is walking in wisdom is delivered.
He who trusteth in his own understanding is a fool; But he who walketh wisely shall be delivered.
27 Whoso is giving to the poor hath no lack, And whoso is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
He who giveth to the poor shall not want; 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 are exalted, men hide themselves; But, when they perish, the righteous increase.
