Proverbs 28

1 The wicked flee when none pursueth: but the righteous are bolde as a lyon.

Wicked [people] run away [even] when no one is pursuing them, but righteous/good [people are not afraid]; they are as brave as lions.

2 For the transgression of the land there are many princes thereof: but by a man of vnderstanding and knowledge a realme likewise endureth long.

When [the people of] a nation sin, they will have one ruler after another; but when their leaders are wise and have good sense, their government will last for a long time.

3 A poore man, if he oppresse the poore, is like a raging raine, that leaueth no foode.

A poor person who oppresses [other] poor [people] is [like] [MET] a very heavy/hard rain that [destroys the crops], with the result that there is no food [for people to eat].

4 They that forsake the Law, prayse the wicked: but they that keepe the Law, set themselues against them.

Those who reject/disobey [God’s] laws always speak well of wicked [people]; but those who obey [God’s] laws [always] oppose what wicked people do.

5 Wicked men vnderstand not iudgemnt: but they that seeke the Lord vnderstand all things.

Evil people do not understand what it means to act justly, but those who try to obey/worship Yahweh understand that very well.

6 Better is the poore that walketh in his vprightnesse, then hee that peruerteth his wayes, though he be riche.

It is better to be honest [even] though you are poor than to be dishonest [even] though you are rich.

7 He that keepeth the Law, is a childe of vnderstanding: but hee that feedeth the gluttons, shameth his father.

Young people who obey the laws are wise [IDM]; parents whose children associate with those who (carouse/go to wild parties) are humiliated/disgraced because of what their children do.

8 He that increaseth his riches by vsurie and interest, gathereth them for him that will be mercifull vnto the poore.

When people become very rich by charging very high interest [DOU], their money will [eventually] go to someone who does kind things for the poor.

9 He that turneth away his eare from hearing the Law, euen his prayer shalbe abominable.

If people do not obey [MTY] [God’s] laws, [God] (detests their prayers/considers that their prayers stink).

10 He that causeth the righteous to go astray by an euill way, shall fall into his owne pit, and the vpright shall inherite good things.

Those who cause honest/good [people] to do what is evil will fall into their own pits/traps, but good things will happen to those who (are innocent/have not done what is wrong).

11 The riche man is wise in his owne conceite: but the poore that hath vnderstanding, can trie him.

[Many] rich people think that they are wise, but poor people who have good sense will find out whether rich people really are wise or not.

12 When righteous men reioyce, there is great glory: but when the wicked come vp, the man is tried.

When righteous/good [people] (succeed/win [elections]), everyone (celebrates/is happy); but when wicked [people win], everyone hides [because they are afraid of what the wicked people will do].

13 He that hideth his sinnes, shall not prosper: but he that confesseth, and forsaketh them, shall haue mercy.

Those who refuse to confess/admit their sins will not prosper, but [God] acts mercifully/kindly toward those who confess their sins and turn away from their sinful behavior.

14 Blessed is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart, shall fall into euill.

[God] is pleased with those who always revere him, but those who are stubborn [IDM] will experience disasters.

15 As a roaring lyon, and an hungry beare, so is a wicked ruler ouer the poore people.

Wicked people who [mistreat] poor people whom they rule are [as dangerous to them as] [SIM] a lion roaring [at them] or a bear springing up [to attack them].

16 A prince destitute of vnderstanding, is also a great oppressour: but hee that hateth couetousnes, shall prolong his dayes.

Rulers who do not have good sense cruelly oppress [the people they rule], but rulers who do not want to become rich by cheating/deceiving [people] will live (OR, rule) for a long time.

17 A man that doeth violence against the blood of a person, shall flee vnto the graue, and they shall not stay him.

Those who are guilty of murdering [MTY] another person will (be fugitives/keep running away) until they die; do not help them to escape.

18 He that walketh vprightly, shalbe saued: but he that is froward in his wayes, shall once fall.

Those who [continually] do what is right will be safe/protected, but those who are dishonest will [suddenly] be ruined.

19 He that tilleth his land, shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth the idle, shall be filled with pouertie.

Farmers who work [hard] in their fields will [produce good crops and always] have plenty of food [to eat], but those who spend all their time (on useless projects/doing things that do not benefit anyone) will become very poor.

20 A faythfull man shall abound in blessings, and he that maketh haste to be riche, shall not be innocent.

[God] will greatly bless those who (are trustworthy/always do what they say that they will do), but he will certainly punish [LIT] those who try to become rich quickly.

21 To haue respect of persons is not good: for that man will transgresse for a piece of bread.

It is not good [for judges] to decide matters unfairly/unjustly, but [some] people will do what is wrong [even] if they receive [only] a very small bribe [HYP] [for doing it].

22 A man with a wicked eye hasteth to riches, and knoweth not, that pouertie shall come vpon him.

Selfish people [IDM] are very eager to become rich quickly; they do not realize that they will [soon] become poor.

23 He that rebuketh a man, shall finde more fauour at length, then he that flattereth with his tongue.

Those who rebuke someone will be appreciated/thanked more than those who [say nice things to others merely] to (flatter them/cause them to feel good).

24 Hee that robbeth his father and mother, and sayth, It is no transgression, is the companion of a man that destroyeth.

Anyone who steals things from his father or his mother and says “That is not sinful” is as bad as a bandit.

25 He that is of a proude heart, stirreth vp strife: but he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be fatte.

Greedy people cause trouble/strife; those who trust in Yahweh will prosper [IDM].

26 Hee that trusteth in his owne heart, is a foole: but he that walketh in wisdome, shall be deliuered.

Those who believe that what they think [is always right] are foolish; those who act wisely will (escape danger/be safe).

27 He that giueth vnto the poore, shall not lacke: but he that hideth his eyes, shall haue many curses.

Those who give things to poor [people] will not become poor, but many [people] will curse those who refuse to help [IDM] poor people.

28 When the wicked rise vp, men hide them selues: but when they perish, ye righteous increase.

When wicked [people] become rulers, people hide [because they are afraid of what those wicked people will do]; but when wicked people are no longer rulers, good/righteous [people will] become the rulers.