Proverbs 28
¹ The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
² In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
³ A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.
⁴ Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them.
⁵ Evil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek Yahweh understand it fully.
⁶ Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
⁷ Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
⁸ He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.
⁹ He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
¹⁰ 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 The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
¹² When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
¹³ He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
¹⁴ Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
¹⁵ As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
¹⁶ A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
¹⁷ A man who is tormented by blood guilt will be a fugitive until death. No one will support him.
¹⁸ Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.
¹⁹ One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
²⁰ A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
²¹ To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
²² A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.
²³ One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.
²⁴ Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is a partner with a destroyer.
²⁵ One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
²⁶ One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
²⁷ One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
²⁸ When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.