Proverbs 28
1 The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer. And the righteous as a young lion is confident.
The wicked people run away when no one chases them, but righteous people are as bold 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.
Because of the transgression of a land, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, it will last a long time.
3 A man — poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
A poor person who oppresses other poor people is like a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those forsaking the law praise the wicked, Those keeping the law plead against them.
Those who forsake the law praise wicked people, but those who keep the law fight against them.
5 Evil men understand not judgment, And those seeking Jehovah understand all.
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek Yahweh understand everything.
6 Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.
It is better for a poor person who walks in his integrity, than for a rich person who is crooked in his ways.
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 son who has understanding, but one who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 Whoso is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, For one favouring the poor doth gather it.
The one who makes his fortune by charging too much interest gathers his wealth for another who will have pity on poor people.
9 Whoso is turning his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer [is] an abomination.
If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
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.
Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a good inheritance.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searcheth him.
The rich person may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor person who has understanding will find him out.
12 In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked arise, people are sought out.
13 Whoso is covering his transgressions prospereth not, And he who is confessing and forsaking hath mercy.
The one who hides his sins will not prosper, but the one who confesses them and forsakes them will be shown mercy.
14 O the happiness of a man fearing continually, And whoso is hardening his heart falleth into evil.
The one who always lives with reverence is blessed, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into trouble.
15 A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor people.
16 A leader lacking understanding multiplieth oppressions, Whoso is hating dishonest gain prolongeth days.
The ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but the one who hates dishonesty will prolong his days.
17 A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, Unto the pit fleeth, none taketh hold on him.
If a man is guilty because he has shed someone's blood, he will be a fugitive until death and no one will help him.
18 Whoso is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falleth at once.
Whoever walks with integrity will be kept safe, but the one whose way is crooked will suddenly fall.
19 Whoso is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoso is pursuing vanity, Is filled [with] poverty.
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 A stedfast man hath multiplied blessings, And whoso is hasting to be rich is not acquitted.
A faithful man will have great blessings, but the one who gets rich quickly will not go unpunished.
21 To discern faces is not good, And for a piece of bread doth a man transgress.
It is not good to show partiality, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 Troubled for wealth [is] the man [with] an evil eye, And he knoweth not that want doth meet him.
A stingy man hurries after riches, but he does not know that poverty will come upon him.
23 Whoso is reproving a man afterwards findeth grace, More than a flatterer with the tongue.
Whoever disciplines someone, afterward will find more favor from him than from the one who flatters him 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.
Whoever robs his father and his mother and says, “That is no sin,” he is the companion of the one who destroys.
25 Whoso is proud in soul stirreth up contention, And whoso is trusting on Jehovah is made fat.
A greedy man stirs up conflict, but the one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
26 Whoso is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoso is walking in wisdom is delivered.
One who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks in wisdom will keep away from danger.
27 Whoso is giving to the poor hath no lack, And whoso is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
The one who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but whoever closes his eyes to them will receive many curses.
28 In the rising of the wicked a man is hidden, And in their destruction the righteous multiply!
When the wicked arise, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
