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 man pursueth: but the righteous are 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.

For the transgression of a land many [are] the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding [and] knowledge the state [thereof] shall be prolonged.

3 A man — poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.

A poor man that oppresseth the poor [is like] a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

4 Those forsaking the law praise the wicked, Those keeping the law plead against them.

They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

5 Evil men understand not judgment, And those seeking Jehovah understand all.

Evil men understand not judgment: but they that 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] the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than [he that 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.

Whoso keepeth the law [is] a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous [men] shameth his father.

8 Whoso is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, For one favouring the poor doth gather it.

He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that 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] 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.

Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself 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 that hath understanding searcheth him out.

12 In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.

When righteous [men] do rejoice, [there is] great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

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 whoso 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 [is] the man that feareth alway: but he that 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 ranging bear; [so is] a wicked ruler over the poor people.

16 A leader lacking understanding multiplieth oppressions, Whoso is hating dishonest gain prolongeth days.

The prince that wanteth understanding [is] also a great oppressor: [but] he that hateth covetousness 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 that doeth violence to the blood of [any] person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

18 Whoso is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falleth at once.

Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but [he that 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 that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain [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 be innocent.

21 To discern faces is not good, And for a piece of bread doth a man transgress.

To have respect of persons [is] not good: for 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 that hasteth to be rich [hath] an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

23 Whoso is reproving a man afterwards findeth grace, More than a flatterer with the tongue.

He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the 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 robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, [It is] no transgression; the same [is] the companion of a destroyer.

25 Whoso is proud in soul stirreth up contention, And whoso is trusting on Jehovah is made fat.

He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

26 Whoso is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoso is walking in wisdom is delivered.

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

27 Whoso is giving to the poor hath no lack, And whoso is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: 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 rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.