Proverbs 28
1 The wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth: but the just, bold as a lion, shall be without dread.
The ungodly [man] flees when no one pursues: but the righteous is confident as a lion.
2 For the sins of the land many are the princes thereof: and for the wisdom of a man, and the knowledge of those things that are said, the life of the prince shall be prolonged.
By reason of the sins of ungodly men quarrels arise; but a wise man will quell them.
3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor, is like a violent shower, which bringeth a famine.
A bold man oppresses the poor by ungodly deeds. As an impetuous and profitable rain,
4 They that forsake the law, praise the wicked man: they that keep it, are incensed against him.
so they that forsake the law praise ungodliness; but they that love the law fortify themselves with a wall.
5 Evil men think not on judgment: but they that seek after the Lord, take notice of all things.
Evil men will not understand judgement: but they that seek the Lord will understand everything.
6 Better is the poor man walking in his simplicity, than the rich in crooked ways.
A poor man walking in truth is better than a rich liar.
7 He that keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that feedeth gluttons, shameth his father.
A wise son keeps the law: but he that keeps up debauchery dishonours his father.
8 He that heapeth together riches by usury and loan, gathereth them for him that will be bountiful to the poor.
He that increases his wealth by usuries and [unjust] gains, gathers it for him that pities the poor.
9 He that turneth away his ears from hearing the law, his prayer shall be as abomination.
He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even he has made his prayer abominable.
10 He that deceiveth the just in a wicked way, shall fall in his own destruction: and the upright shall possess his goods.
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 man seemeth to himself wise: but the poor man that is prudent shall search him out.
A rich man is wise in his own conceit; but an intelligent poor man will condemn him.
12 In the joy of the just there is great glory: when the wicked reign, men are ruined.
By reason of the help of righteous men great glory arises: but in the places of the ungodly men are caught.
13 He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that shall confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy.
He that covers his own ungodliness shall not prosper: but he that blames [himself] shall be loved.
14 Blessed is the man that is always fearful: but he that is hardened in mind, shall fall into evil.
Blessed is the man who religiously fears always: but the hard of heart shall fall into mischiefs.
15 As a roaring lion, and a hungry bear, so is a wicked prince over the poor people.
A hungry lion and a thirsty wolf [is he], who, being poor, rules over a poor nation.
16 A prince void of prudence shall oppress many by calumny: but he that hateth covetousness, shall prolong his days.
A king in need of revenues is a great oppressor: but he that hates injustice shall live a long time.
17 A man that doth violence to the blood of a person, if he flee even to the pit, no man will stay him.
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.
18 He that walketh uprightly, shall be saved: he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
He that walks justly is assisted: but he that walks in crooked ways shall be entangled [therein].
19 He that tilleth his ground, shall be filled with bread: but he that followeth idleness shall be filled with 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 shall be much praised: but he that maketh haste to be rich, shall not be innocent.
A man worthy of credit shall be much blessed: but the wicked shall not be unpunished.
21 He that hath respect to a person in judgment, doth not well: such a man even for a morsel of bread forsaketh the truth.
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 man, that maketh haste to be rich, and envieth others, is ignorant that poverty shall 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 He that rebuketh a man, shall afterward find favour with him, more than he that by a flattering tongue deceiveth him.
He that reproves a man's ways shall have more favour than he that flatters with the tongue.
24 He that stealeth any thing from his father, or from his mother: and saith, This is no sin, is the partner of a murderer.
He that casts off father or mother, and thinks he sins not; the same is partaker with an ungodly man.
25 He that boasteth, and puffeth up himself, stirreth up quarrels: but he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be healed.
An unbelieving man judges rashly: but he that trusts in the Lord will act carefully.
26 He that trusteth in his own heart, is a fool: but he that walketh wisely, he shall be saved.
He that trusts to a bold heart, such an one is a fool: but he that walks in wisdom shall be safe.
27 He that giveth to the poor, shall not want: he that despiseth his entreaty, shall suffer indigence.
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.
28 When the wicked rise up, men shall hide themselves: when they perish, the lust shall be multiplied.
In the places of ungodly [men] the righteous mourn: but in their destruction the righteous shall be multiplied.
