Proverbs 28
1 The lawless, fleeth when no man pursueth, but, the righteous, like a lion, are confident.
The wicked people run away when no one chases them, but righteous people are as bold as a young lion.
2 For the transgressions of a land, many are the rulers thereof, but, under an intelligent and discerning man, stability is prolonged.
Because of the transgression of a land, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, it will last a long time.
3 A poor man, who oppresseth the helpless, [is like] a rain beating down, leaving no food.
A poor person who oppresses other poor people is like a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 They who forsake instruction, praise one who is lawless, while, they who keep instruction, are at strife with them.
Those who forsake the law praise wicked people, but those who keep the law fight against them.
5 Wicked men, consider not justice, but, they who seek Yahweh, consider everything.
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek Yahweh understand everything.
6 Better a poor man walking in his integrity, than one who is crooked—turning two ways, though, he, be rich.
It is better for a poor person who walks in his integrity, than for a rich person who is crooked in his ways.
7 He that keepeth instruction, is a son with discernment, but, a companion of squanderers, bringeth shame to his father.
He who keeps the law is a son who has understanding, but one who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 He that increaseth his substance by interest and profit, for one ready to favour the poor, doth gather it.
The one who makes his fortune by charging too much interest gathers his wealth for another who will have pity on poor people.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing instruction, even his prayer, is an abomination.
If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
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.
Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a good inheritance.
11 Wise in his own eyes, is the man that is rich, but, a poor man of discernment, searcheth him out.
The rich person may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor person who has understanding will find him out.
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 triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked arise, people are sought out.
13 He that covereth his transgressions, shall not prosper, but, he that confesseth and forsaketh, shall find compassion.
The one who hides his sins will not prosper, but the one who confesses them and forsakes them will be shown mercy.
14 How happy the man who is ever circumspect, whereas, he that hardeneth his heart, shall fall into calamity.
The one who always lives with reverence is blessed, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into trouble.
15 A growling lion, and a ranging bear, is a lawless ruler, over a poor people.
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor people.
16 A leader, may lack intelligence, yet abound in oppressions, The hater of greed, shall lengthen out days.
The ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but the one who hates dishonesty will prolong his days.
17 A man oppressed with a person’s blood, unto a pit, shall flee, let them not hold him back.
If a man is guilty because he has shed someone's blood, he will be a fugitive until death and no one will help him.
18 He that walketh with integrity, shall be saved, but, he that is crooked, turning two ways, shall fall in one.
Whoever walks with integrity will be kept safe, but the one whose way is crooked will suddenly fall.
19 He that tilleth his ground, shall have plenty of bread, but, he that pursueth empty-heads, shall have plenty of poverty.
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever follows worthless pursuits will have plenty 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 have great blessings, but the one who gets rich quickly 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.
It is not good to show partiality, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 A man, hasting to be rich, hath an evil eye, and knoweth not when want may overtake him.
A stingy man hurries after riches, but he does not know that poverty will come upon him.
23 He that reproveth a man, shall, afterwards, find more, favour, than he that useth a flattering tongue.
Whoever disciplines someone, afterward will find more favor from him than from the one who flatters him with his tongue.
24 He that robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, companion, is he to one who wasteth.
Whoever robs his father and his mother and says, “That is no sin,” he is the companion of the one who destroys.
25 The ambitious in soul, stirreth up strife, but, he that trusteth in Yahweh, shall be enriched.
A greedy man stirs up conflict, but the one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
26 He that trusteth his own heart, the same, is a dullard, but, he that walketh wisely, the same, shall be delivered.
One who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks in wisdom will keep away from danger.
27 One who giveth to the poor, shall have no want, but, he that hideth his eyes, shall receive many a curse.
The one who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but whoever closes his eyes to them will receive many curses.
28 When lawless men rise, a common man will hide himself, but, when they perish, righteous men multiply.
When the wicked arise, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
