Proverbs 28
1 The lawless, fleeth when no man pursueth, but, the righteous, like a lion, are confident.
The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 For the transgressions of a land, many are the rulers thereof, but, under an intelligent and discerning man, stability is prolonged.
In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
3 A poor man, who oppresseth the helpless, [is like] a rain beating down, leaving no food.
A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.
4 They who forsake instruction, praise one who is lawless, while, they who keep instruction, are at strife with them.
Those who forsake the Torah praise the wicked; but those who keep the Torah contend with them.
5 Wicked men, consider not justice, but, they who seek Yahweh, consider everything.
Evil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.
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 who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
7 He that keepeth instruction, is a son with discernment, but, a companion of squanderers, bringeth shame to his father.
Whoever keeps the Torah is a wise son; but he 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.
He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing instruction, even his prayer, is an abomination.
He who turns away his ear from hearing the Torah, even his prayer is 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.
Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit 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 poor who has understanding sees through him.
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 rise, men hide themselves.
13 He that covereth his transgressions, shall not prosper, but, he that confesseth and forsaketh, shall find compassion.
He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14 How happy the man who is ever circumspect, whereas, he that hardeneth his heart, shall fall into calamity.
Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15 A growling lion, and a ranging bear, is a lawless ruler, over a poor people.
As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
16 A leader, may lack intelligence, yet abound in oppressions, The hater of greed, shall lengthen out days.
A tyrannical ruler lacks judgement. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
17 A man oppressed with a person’s blood, unto a pit, shall flee, let them not hold him back.
A man who is tormented by blood guilt will be a fugitive until death. No one will support him.
18 He that walketh with integrity, shall be saved, but, he that is crooked, turning two ways, shall fall in one.
Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.
19 He that tilleth his ground, shall have plenty of bread, but, he that pursueth empty-heads, shall have plenty of poverty.
One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20 A man of fidelity, aboundeth in blessings, but, one hasting to be rich, shall not be held innocent.
A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager 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 show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
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, and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.
23 He that reproveth a man, shall, afterwards, find more, favour, than he that useth a flattering tongue.
One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favour than one who flatters 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.
Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is a partner with a destroyer.
25 The ambitious in soul, stirreth up strife, but, he that trusteth in Yahweh, shall be enriched.
One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in the LORD 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 himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
27 One who giveth to the poor, shall have no want, but, he that hideth his eyes, shall receive many a curse.
One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
28 When lawless men rise, a common man will hide himself, but, when they perish, righteous men multiply.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.
