Proverbs 28

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

The wicked run away even when no one is chasing them, but the good have the trusting boldness of lions.

2 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.

When a country is in rebellion, it has many rulers, but a ruler who is wise and knowledgeable provides strength and continuity.

3 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].

When someone poor oppresses the poor, it's like heavy rain that beats down the crops.

4 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.

People who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law fight against them.

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

Evil people understand nothing about justice, but those who follow the Lord understand it completely.

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

Better to be poor and have integrity than to be devious and rich.

7 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.

If you keep the law, you're a wise son, but if you keep bad company you shame your father.

8 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.

Anyone who gets rich through charging interest and profiteering is only storing it up for someone who is kind to the poor.

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

God hates the prayers of people who disregard the law.

10 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).

Those who lead good people astray into evil ways will fall into their own traps, but the innocent will receive a good reward.

11 [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.

The rich see themselves as wise, but poor people with insight see right through them.

12 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].

When good people win, everyone celebrates, but when the wicked come to power, people hide.

13 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.

People who hide their sins won't succeed, but those who confess and renounce their sins will be shown kindness.

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

Blessed are those who always respect the Lord, but those who are stubborn end up in a lot of trouble.

15 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].

A wicked ruler lording it over poor people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.

16 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.

An unwise ruler thoroughly extorts his people, but one who refuses to profit illegally will live long.

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

Someone guilty of murder will go on running away from it until they die. Don't try and stop them.

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

If you have integrity, you'll be kept safe, but if you live deviously, you'll fall.

19 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.

If you cultivate the land you'll have plenty of food, but if you chase fantasies you'll end up with nothing.

20 [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.

If you're trustworthy, you'll be richly rewarded; but if you try to get rich quick, you won't go unpunished.

21 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].

Showing favoritism isn't good, but some people will do wrong just for a piece of bread.

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

Envious people are in a rush to get rich; they don't realize they'll end up poor.

23 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).

Honest criticism is appreciated later far more than flattery.

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

A man who robs his father and mother, and says, “It's not a crime,” is one step away from becoming a murderer.

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

Greedy people stir up trouble, but those who trust in the Lord will be successful.

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

People who trust their own minds are foolish, but those who follow wise ways will be kept safe.

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

If you give to the poor, you won't be in need; but if you look the other way, you'll have many curses.

28 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.

When the wicked come to power, people hide; but when they fall, the good do well.