Proverbs 28

1 The impious flees, though no one pursues. But the just, like a confident lion, shall be without dread.

A wicked man flees when no man pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 Because of the sins of the land, it has many princes. And because of the wisdom of a man, and the knowledge of those things that are said, the life of the leader shall be prolonged.

For the transgression of a land many are the rulers of it. But by men of understanding and knowledge the state shall be prolonged.

3 A poor man slandering the poor is like a violent rainstorm in advance of a famine.

A needy man who oppresses the poor is a sweeping rain which leaves no food.

4 Those who abandon the law praise the impious. Those who guard it are inflamed against him.

Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them.

5 Evil men do not intend judgment. But those who inquire after the Lord turn their souls toward all things.

Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek Jehovah understand all things.

6 Better is the pauper walking in his simplicity, than the rich walking in ways of depravity.

Better is the poor man who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son. But whoever feeds gluttons brings shame to his father.

He who keeps the law is a wise son, but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.

8 Whoever piles up riches by usury and profit gathers them for him who will give freely to the poor.

He who augments his substance by interest and increase, gathers it for him who has pity on the poor.

9 Whoever turns away his ears from listening to the law: his prayer will be detestable.

He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

10 Whoever deceives the just in a malicious way will fall into his own perdition. And the simple shall possess his goods.

He who causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit. But the perfect shall inherit good.

11 The rich one seems wise to himself. But the poor one, being prudent, shall evaluate him.

The rich man is wise in his own conceit, but a poor man who has understanding searches him out.

12 In the exultation of the just, there is great glory. When the impious reign, men are brought to ruin.

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

13 Whoever hides his crimes will not be guided. But whoever will have confessed and abandoned them shall overtake mercy.

He who covers his transgressions shall not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them shall obtain mercy.

14 Blessed is the man who is ever fearful. Yet truly, whoever is hardened in mind will fall into evil.

Happy is the man who fears always, but he who hardens his heart shall fall into mischief.

15 An impious leader over a poor people is like a roaring lion and a hungry bear.

A roaring lion, and a ranging bear, is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16 A leader destitute of prudence will oppress many through false accusations. But whoever hates avarice shall prolong his days.

The ruler who lacks understanding is also a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness shall prolong his days.

17 A man who slanders the blood of a life, even if he flees to the pit, no one will tolerate him.

A man who is laden with the blood of any person shall flee to the pit. Let no man stay him.

18 Whoever walks simply shall be saved. Whoever is perverse in his steps will fall all at once.

He who walks uprightly shall be delivered, but he who is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

19 Whoever works his land shall be satisfied with bread. But whoever pursues leisure will be filled with need.

He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who follows after vanity shall have poverty enough.

20 A faithful man shall be greatly praised. But whoever rushes to become rich will not be innocent.

A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.

21 Whoever shows favoritism in judgment does not do well; even if it is for a morsel of bread, he forsakes the truth.

To have respect of persons is not good, nor that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.

22 A man who hurries to become rich, and who envies others, does not know that destitution will overwhelm him.

He who has an evil eye hastens after riches, and does not know that want shall come upon him.

23 Whoever corrects a man, afterward he shall find favor with him, more so than he who deceives him with a flattering tongue.

He who rebukes a man shall afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.

24 Whoever takes away anything from his father or mother, and who says, “This is not a sin,” is the associate of a murderer.

He who robs his father or his mother, and says, It is no transgression, the same is the companion of a destroyer.

25 Whoever boasts and enlarges himself stirs up conflicts. Yet truly, whoever trusts in the Lord will be healed.

He who is of a greedy spirit stirs up strife, but he who puts his trust in Jehovah shall be made fat.

26 Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool. But whoever treads wisely, the same shall be saved.

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely, he shall be delivered.

27 Whoever gives to the poor shall not be in need. Whoever despises his petition will suffer scarcity.

He who gives to the poor shall not lack, but he who hides his eyes shall have many a curse.

28 When the impious rise up, men will hide themselves. When they perish, the just shall be multiplied.

When the wicked rise, men hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.