Proverbiorum 28
1 Fugit impius nemine persequente; justus autem, quasi leo confidens, absque terrore erit.
The wicked run away even when no one is chasing them, but the good have the trusting boldness of lions.
2 Propter peccata terræ multi principes ejus; et propter hominis sapientiam, et horum scientiam quæ dicuntur, vita ducis longior erit.
When a country is in rebellion, it has many rulers, but a ruler who is wise and knowledgeable provides strength and continuity.
3 Vir pauper calumnians pauperes similis est imbri vehementi in quo paratur fames.
When someone poor oppresses the poor, it's like heavy rain that beats down the crops.
4 Qui derelinquunt legem laudant impium; qui custodiunt, succenduntur contra eum.
People who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law fight against them.
5 Viri mali non cogitant judicium; qui autem inquirunt Dominum animadvertunt omnia.
Evil people understand nothing about justice, but those who follow the Lord understand it completely.
6 Melior est pauper ambulans in simplicitate sua quam dives in pravis itineribus.
Better to be poor and have integrity than to be devious and rich.
7 Qui custodit legem filius sapiens est; qui autem comessatores pascit confundit patrem suum.
If you keep the law, you're a wise son, but if you keep bad company you shame your father.
8 Qui coacervat divitias usuris et fœnore, liberali in pauperes congregat eas.
Anyone who gets rich through charging interest and profiteering is only storing it up for someone who is kind to the poor.
9 Qui declinat aures suas ne audiat legem, oratio ejus erit execrabilis.
God hates the prayers of people who disregard the law.
10 Qui decipit justos in via mala, in interitu suo corruet, et simplices possidebunt bona ejus.
Those who lead good people astray into evil ways will fall into their own traps, but the innocent will receive a good reward.
11 Sapiens sibi videtur vir dives; pauper autem prudens scrutabitur eum.
The rich see themselves as wise, but poor people with insight see right through them.
12 In exsultatione justorum multa gloria est; regnantibus impiis, ruinæ hominum.
When good people win, everyone celebrates, but when the wicked come to power, people hide.
13 Qui abscondit scelera sua non dirigetur; qui autem confessus fuerit et reliquerit ea, misericordiam consequetur.
People who hide their sins won't succeed, but those who confess and renounce their sins will be shown kindness.
14 Beatus homo qui semper est pavidus; qui vero mentis est duræ corruet in malum.
Blessed are those who always respect the Lord, but those who are stubborn end up in a lot of trouble.
15 Leo rugiens et ursus esuriens, princeps impius super populum pauperem.
A wicked ruler lording it over poor people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.
16 Dux indigens prudentia multos opprimet per calumniam; qui autem odit avaritiam, longi fient dies ejus.
An unwise ruler thoroughly extorts his people, but one who refuses to profit illegally will live long.
17 Hominem qui calumniatur animæ sanguinem, si usque ad lacum fugerit, nemo sustinet.
Someone guilty of murder will go on running away from it until they die. Don't try and stop them.
18 Qui ambulat simpliciter salvus erit; qui perversis graditur viis concidet semel.
If you have integrity, you'll be kept safe, but if you live deviously, you'll fall.
19 Qui operatur terram suam satiabitur panibus; qui autem sectatur otium replebitur egestate.
If you cultivate the land you'll have plenty of food, but if you chase fantasies you'll end up with nothing.
20 Vir fidelis multum laudabitur; qui autem festinat ditari non erit innocens.
If you're trustworthy, you'll be richly rewarded; but if you try to get rich quick, you won't go unpunished.
21 Qui cognoscit in judicio faciem non bene facit; iste et pro buccella panis deserit veritatem.
Showing favoritism isn't good, but some people will do wrong just for a piece of bread.
22 Vir qui festinat ditari, et aliis invidet, ignorat quod egestas superveniet ei.
Envious people are in a rush to get rich; they don't realize they'll end up poor.
23 Qui corripit hominem gratiam postea inveniet apud eum, magis quam ille qui per linguæ blandimenta decipit.
Honest criticism is appreciated later far more than flattery.
24 Qui subtrahit aliquid a patre suo et a matre, et dicit hoc non esse peccatum, particeps homicidæ est.
A man who robs his father and mother, and says, “It's not a crime,” is one step away from becoming a murderer.
25 Qui se jactat et dilatat, jurgia concitat; qui vero sperat in Domino sanabitur.
Greedy people stir up trouble, but those who trust in the Lord will be successful.
26 Qui confidit in corde suo stultus est; qui autem graditur sapienter, ipse salvabitur.
People who trust their own minds are foolish, but those who follow wise ways will be kept safe.
27 Qui dat pauperi non indigebit; qui despicit deprecantem sustinebit penuriam.
If you give to the poor, you won't be in need; but if you look the other way, you'll have many curses.
28 Cum surrexerint impii, abscondentur homines; cum illi perierint, multiplicabuntur justi.
When the wicked come to power, people hide; but when they fall, the good do well.
