Proverbs 28
1 The wicked people run away when no one chases them, but righteous people are as bold as a young lion.
The ungodly [man] flees when no one pursues: but the righteous is confident as a lion.
2 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.
By reason of the sins of ungodly men quarrels arise; but a wise man will quell them.
3 A poor person who oppresses other poor people is like a beating rain that leaves no food.
A bold man oppresses the poor by ungodly deeds. As an impetuous and profitable rain,
4 Those who forsake the law praise wicked people, but those who keep the law fight against them.
so they that forsake the law praise ungodliness; but they that love the law fortify themselves with a wall.
5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek Yahweh understand everything.
Evil men will not understand judgment: but they that seek the Lord will understand everything.
6 It is better for a poor person who walks in his integrity, than for a rich person who is crooked in his ways.
A poor man walking in truth is better than a rich liar.
7 He who keeps the law is a son who has understanding, but one who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
A wise son keeps the law: but he that keeps up debauchery dishonours his father.
8 The one who makes his fortune by charging too much interest gathers his wealth for another who will have pity on poor people.
He that increases his wealth by usuries and [unjust] gains, gathers it for him that pities the poor.
9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even he has made his prayer abominable.
10 Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a good inheritance.
He that causes upright men to err in an evil way, himself shall fall into destruction: transgressor also shall pass by prosperity, but shall not enter into it.
11 The rich person may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor person who has understanding will find him out.
A rich man is wise in his own conceit; but an intelligent poor man will condemn him.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked arise, people are sought out.
By reason of the help of righteous men great glory arises: but in the places of the ungodly men are caught.
13 The one who hides his sins will not prosper, but the one who confesses them and forsakes them will be shown mercy.
He that covers his own ungodliness shall not prosper: but he that blames [himself] shall be loved.
14 The one who always lives with reverence is blessed, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into trouble.
Blessed is the man who religiously fears always: but the hard of heart shall fall into mischiefs.
15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor people.
A hungry lion and a thirsty wolf [is he], who, being poor, rules over a poor nation.
16 The ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but the one who hates dishonesty will prolong his days.
A king in need of revenues is a great oppressor: but he that hates injustice shall live a long time.
17 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.
He that becomes surety for a man charged with murder shall be an exile, and not in safety. Chasten thy son, and he shall love thee, and give honour to thy soul: he shall not obey a sinful nation.
18 Whoever walks with integrity will be kept safe, but the one whose way is crooked will suddenly fall.
He that walks justly is assisted: but he that walks in crooked ways shall be entangled [therein].
19 The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows idleness shall have plenty of poverty.
20 A faithful man will have great blessings, but the one who gets rich quickly will not go unpunished.
A man worthy of credit shall be much blessed: but the wicked shall not be unpunished.
21 It is not good to show partiality, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
He that reverences not the persons of the just is not good: such a one will sell a man for a morsel of bread.
22 A stingy man hurries after riches, but he does not know that poverty will come upon him.
An envious man makes haste to be rich, and knows not that the merciful man will have the mastery over him.
23 Whoever disciplines someone, afterward will find more favor from him than from the one who flatters him with his tongue.
He that reproves a man's ways shall have more favour than he that flatters with the tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father and his mother and says, “That is no sin,” he is the companion of the one who destroys.
He that casts off father or mother, and thinks he sins not; the same is partaker with an ungodly man.
25 A greedy man stirs up conflict, but the one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
An unbelieving man judges rashly: but he that trusts in the Lord will act carefully.
26 One who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks in wisdom will keep away from danger.
He that trusts to a bold heart, such an one is a fool: but he that walks in wisdom shall be safe.
27 The one who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but whoever closes his eyes to them will receive many curses.
He that gives to the poor shall not be in want: but he that turns away his eye [from him] shall be in great distress.
28 When the wicked arise, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
In the places of ungodly [men] the righteous mourn: but in their destruction the righteous shall be multiplied.
