Proverbs 28
1 The ungodly [man] flees when no one pursues: but the righteous is confident as a lion.
The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 By reason of the sins of ungodly men quarrels arise; but a wise man will quell them.
In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
3 A bold man oppresses the poor by ungodly deeds. As an impetuous and profitable rain,
A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.
4 so they that forsake the law praise ungodliness; but they that love the law fortify themselves with a wall.
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men will not understand judgement: but they that seek the Lord will understand everything.
Evil men do not understand justice; but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.
6 A poor man walking in truth is better than a rich liar.
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
7 A wise son keeps the law: but he that keeps up debauchery dishonours his father.
Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 He that increases his wealth by usuries and [unjust] gains, gathers it for him that pities the poor.
He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.
9 He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even he has made his prayer abominable.
He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
10 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.
Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good.
11 A rich man is wise in his own conceit; but an intelligent poor man will condemn him.
The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
12 By reason of the help of righteous men great glory arises: but in the places of the ungodly men are caught.
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13 He that covers his own ungodliness shall not prosper: but he that blames [himself] shall be loved.
He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14 Blessed is the man who religiously fears always: but the hard of heart shall fall into mischiefs.
Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15 A hungry lion and a thirsty wolf [is he], who, being poor, rules over a poor nation.
As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
16 A king in need of revenues is a great oppressor: but he that hates injustice shall live a long time.
A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
17 He that becomes surety for a man charged with murder shall be an exile, and not in safety. Chasten your son, and he shall love you, and give honour to your soul: he shall not obey a sinful nation.
A man who is tormented by blood guilt will be a fugitive until death. No one will support him.
18 He that walks justly is assisted: but he that walks in crooked ways shall be entangled [therein].
Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.
19 He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows idleness shall have plenty of poverty.
One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20 A man worthy of credit shall be much blessed: but the wicked shall not be unpunished.
A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 He that reverences not the persons of the just is not good: such a one will sell a man for a morsel of bread.
To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 An envious man makes haste to be rich, and knows not that the merciful man will have the mastery over him.
A stingy man hurries after riches, and does not know that poverty waits for him.
23 He that reproves a man's ways shall have more favour than he that flatters with the tongue.
One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.
24 He that casts off father or mother, and thinks he sins not; the same is partaker with an ungodly man.
Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is a partner with a destroyer.
25 An unbelieving man judges rashly: but he that trusts in the Lord will act carefully.
One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
26 He that trusts to a bold heart, such an one is a fool: but he that walks in wisdom shall be safe.
One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
27 He that gives to the poor shall not be in lack: but he that turns away his eye [from him] shall be in great distress.
One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
28 In the places of ungodly [men] the righteous mourn: but in their destruction the righteous shall be multiplied.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.
