Proverbs 28
28:1 The wicked person flees when there is no one pursuing,1
but the righteous person is as confident2 as a lion.
28:2 When a country is rebellious3 it has many princes,4
but by someone who is discerning and knowledgeable5 order is maintained.6
28:3 A poor person7 who oppresses the weak
is like8 a driving rain without food.9
28:4 Those who forsake the law10 praise the wicked,11
but those who keep the law contend12 with them.
28:5 Evil people13 do not understand justice,14
but those who seek the Lord15 understand it all.
28:6 A poor person16 who walks in his integrity is better
than one who is perverse in his ways17 even though18 he is rich.19
28:7 The one who keeps the law20 is a discerning child,21
but a companion of gluttons brings shame22 to his parents.23
28:8 The one who increases his wealth by increasing interest24
gathers it for someone who is gracious25 to the needy.
28:9 The one who turns away his ear26 from hearing the law,
even his prayer27 is an abomination.28
28:10 The one who leads the upright astray in an evil way
will himself fall into his own pit,29
but the blameless will inherit what is good.30
28:11 A rich person31 is wise in his own eyes,32
but a discerning poor person can evaluate him properly.33
28:12 When the righteous rejoice,34 great is the glory,35
but when the wicked rise to power, people are sought out.36
28:13 The one who covers37 his transgressions will not prosper,38
but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will find mercy.39
28:14 Blessed is the one who is always cautious,40
but whoever hardens his heart41 will fall into evil.
28:15 Like42 a roaring lion or a roving bear,43
so is a wicked ruler over a poor people.44
28:16 The prince who is a great oppressor lacks wisdom,45
but the one who hates46 unjust gain will prolong his days.
28:17 The one who is tormented47 by the murder48 of another will flee to the pit;49
let no one support him.
28:18 The one who walks blamelessly will be delivered,50
but whoever is perverse in his ways will fall51 at once.52
28:19 The one who works his land will be satisfied with food,53
but whoever chases daydreams54 will have his fill55 of poverty.
28:20 A faithful person56 will have an abundance of blessings,
but the one who hastens57 to gain riches will not go unpunished.
28:21 To show partiality58 is terrible,59
for a person will transgress over the smallest piece of bread.60
28:22 The stingy person61 hastens after riches
and does not know that poverty will overtake him.62
28:23 The one who reproves63 another64 will in the end65 find more favor
than the one who flatters66 with the tongue.
28:24 The one who robs67 his father and mother and says, “There is no transgression,”
is a companion68 to the one69 who destroys.
28:25 The greedy person70 stirs up dissension,71
but the one who trusts72 in the Lord will prosper.73
28:26 The one who trusts in his own heart74 is a fool,
but the one who walks in wisdom75 will escape.76
28:27 The one who gives to the poor will not lack,77
but whoever shuts his eyes to them78 will receive79 many curses.80
28:28 When the wicked gain control,81 people82 hide themselves,83
but when they perish,84 the righteous increase.