Proverbs 28

1 The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

The wicked people run away when no one chases them, but righteous people are as bold as a young lion.

2 In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.

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 needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.

A poor person who oppresses other poor people is like a beating rain that leaves no food.

4 Those who forsake the Law praise the wicked; but those who keep the Law contend with them.

Those who forsake the law praise wicked people, but those who keep the law fight against them.

5 Evil men do not understand justice; but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.

Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek Yahweh understand everything.

6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, and he 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 Whoever keeps the Law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.

He who keeps the law is a son who has understanding, but one who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.

8 He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.

The one who makes his fortune by charging too much interest gathers his wealth for another who will have pity on poor people.

9 He who turns away 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 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will 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 The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.

The rich person may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor person who has understanding will find him out.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked arise, people are sought out.

13 He who conceals his sins doesn't prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

The one who hides his sins will not prosper, but the one who confesses them and forsakes them will be shown mercy.

14 Blessed is the man who is always reverent; but the one who hardens his heart will fall into evil.

The one who always lives with reverence is blessed, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into trouble.

15 As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.

Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor people.

16 A prince who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will prolong his days.

The ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but the one who hates dishonesty will prolong his days.

17 A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death; no one will support 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 Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.

Whoever walks with integrity will be kept safe, but the one whose way is crooked will suddenly fall.

19 One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

20 A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

A faithful man will have great blessings, but the one who gets rich quickly will not go unpunished.

21 To show partiality is not good; yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

It is not good to show partiality, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

22 A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn't know that poverty waits for him.

A stingy man hurries after riches, but he does not know that poverty will come upon him.

23 One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.

Whoever disciplines someone, afterward will find more favor from him than from the one who flatters him with his tongue.

24 Whoever robs his father or his mother, and says, "It's not wrong." He is a partner with 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 One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in the LORD will prosper.

A greedy man stirs up conflict, but the one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.

26 One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

One who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks in wisdom will keep away from danger.

27 One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.

The one who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but whoever closes his eyes to them will receive many curses.

28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.

When the wicked arise, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.