Proverbs 28

1 The lawless, fleeth when no man pursueth, but, the righteous, like a lion, are confident.

Every wicked fleeth when no man pursueth; but the righteous are like the confident young lion.

2 For the transgressions of a land, many are the rulers thereof, but, under an intelligent and discerning man, stability is prolonged.

When there is transgression in a land, it hath many for its princes; but under a man of understanding and knowledge [its] prosperity will long continue.

3 A poor man, who oppresseth the helpless, [is like] a rain beating down, leaving no food.

A poor man that oppresseth the indigent is like a sweeping rain which bringeth no bread.

4 They who forsake instruction, praise one who is lawless, while, they who keep instruction, are at strife with them.

They that forsake the law praise the wicked; but such as observe the law contend with them.

5 Wicked men, consider not justice, but, they who seek Yahweh, consider everything.

Bad men understand not justice; but they that seek the Lord understand all things.

6 Better a poor man walking in his integrity, than one who is crooked—turning two ways, though, he, be rich.

Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

7 He that keepeth instruction, is a son with discernment, but, a companion of squanderers, bringeth shame to his father.

Whoso keepeth the law is an intelligent son; but he that is a companion of gluttons bringeth dishonor on his father.

8 He that increaseth his substance by interest and profit, for one ready to favour the poor, doth gather it.

He that increaseth his wealth by interest and usury will gather it for him that will be kind to the poor.

9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing instruction, even his prayer, is an abomination.

When one turneth away his ear so as not to listen to the law, even his prayer becometh an abomination.

10 He that misguideth the upright into a hurtful way! into his own pit, he himself, shall fall, but, men of integrity, shall inherit good.

Whoso causeth the upright to go astray on an evil way, will surely fall into his own ditch; but the men of integrity will inherit what is good.

11 Wise in his own eyes, is the man that is rich, but, a poor man of discernment, searcheth him out.

The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the indigent that hath understanding can search him through.

12 In the exulting of the righteous, there is great glorying, but, when the lawless arise, a man must be sought for.

When the righteous exult, there is great splendor; but when the wicked rise up, a man hath to be sought for.

13 He that covereth his transgressions, shall not prosper, but, he that confesseth and forsaketh, shall find compassion.

He that concealeth his transgressions will not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them will obtain mercy.

14 How happy the man who is ever circumspect, whereas, he that hardeneth his heart, shall fall into calamity.

Happy is the man that always dreadeth [to do evil]; but he that hardeneth his heart will fall into unhappiness.

15 A growling lion, and a ranging bear, is a lawless ruler, over a poor people.

As a roaring lion, and a greedy bear, so is a wicked ruler over an indigent people.

16 A leader, may lack intelligence, yet abound in oppressions, The hater of greed, shall lengthen out days.

The prince that is void of understanding is also a great oppressor; [but] he that hateth unjust gain will prolong his days.

17 A man oppressed with a person’s blood, unto a pit, shall flee, let them not hold him back.

A man oppressed by the load of having shed human blood will flee even to the pit: let no man hold him.

18 He that walketh with integrity, shall be saved, but, he that is crooked, turning two ways, shall fall in one.

Whoso walketh in integrity will be saved; but he that walketh perversely on two paths, will fall on one.

19 He that tilleth his ground, shall have plenty of bread, but, he that pursueth empty-heads, shall have plenty of poverty.

He that tilleth his ground will have plenty of bread; but he that runneth after idle persons will have enough of poverty.

20 A man of fidelity, aboundeth in blessings, but, one hasting to be rich, shall not be held innocent.

A faithful man will abound with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich will not go unpunished.

21 To take note of faces [in judgment], is not good, and, for a bit of bread, a man will transgress.

To have respect to persons is not good; because even for a piece of bread will a man transgress.

22 A man, hasting to be rich, hath an evil eye, and knoweth not when want may overtake him.

He that is eager for wealth is a man of an evil eye, and he knoweth not that want will come upon him.

23 He that reproveth a man, shall, afterwards, find more, favour, than he that useth a flattering tongue.

He that reproveth a man after [my example] will obtain more grace than he that flattereth with the tongue.

24 He that robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, companion, is he to one who wasteth.

Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, it is no transgression, —the same is a companion of a destroyer.

25 The ambitious in soul, stirreth up strife, but, he that trusteth in Yahweh, shall be enriched.

He that hath an insatiable desire stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord will be abundantly gratified.

26 He that trusteth his own heart, the same, is a dullard, but, he that walketh wisely, the same, shall be delivered.

He that trusteth in his own sense is a fool; but whoso walketh in wisdom, will ever escape.

27 One who giveth to the poor, shall have no want, but, he that hideth his eyes, shall receive many a curse.

He that giveth unto the poor will not have any want; but he that hideth his eyes will have an abundance of curses.

28 When lawless men rise, a common man will hide himself, but, when they perish, righteous men multiply.

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