Proverbs 28

¹The evil man goes running away when no man is after him, but the upright are without fear, like the lion.

²Because of the sin of the land, its troubles are increased; but by a man of wisdom and knowledge they will be put out like a fire.

³A man of wealth who is cruel to the poor is like a violent rain causing destruction of food.

⁴Those who have no respect for the law give praise to the evil-doer; but such as keep the law are against him.

⁵Evil men have no knowledge of what is right; but those who go after the Lord have knowledge of all things.

⁶Better is the poor man whose ways are upright, than the man of wealth whose ways are not straight.

⁷He who keeps the law is a wise son, but he who keeps company with feasters puts shame on his father.

⁸He who makes his wealth greater by taking interest, only gets it together for him who has pity on the poor.

⁹As for the man whose ear is turned away from hearing the law, even his prayer is disgusting.

¹⁰Anyone causing the upright to go wandering in an evil way, will himself go down into the hole he has made; but the upright will have good things for their heritage.

¹¹The man of wealth seems to himself to be wise, but the poor man who has sense has a low opinion of him.

¹²When the upright do well, there is great glory; but when evil-doers are lifted up, men do not let themselves be seen.

¹³He who keeps his sins secret will not do well; but one who is open about them, and gives them up, will get mercy.

¹⁴Happy is the man in whom is the fear of the Lord at all times; but he whose heart is hard will come into trouble.

¹⁵Like a loud-voiced lion and a wandering bear, is an evil ruler over a poor people.

¹⁶The prince who has no sense is a cruel ruler; but he who has no desire to get profit for himself will have long life.

¹⁷One who has been the cause of a man's death will go in flight to the underworld: let no man give him help.

¹⁸He whose ways are upright will be safe, but sudden will be the fall of him whose ways are twisted.

¹⁹By ploughing his land a man will have bread in full measure; but he who goes after good-for-nothing persons will be poor enough.

²⁰A man of good faith will have great blessing, but one attempting to get wealth quickly will not go free from punishment.

²¹It is not good to have respect for a man's position: for a man will do wrong for a bit of bread.

²²He who is ever desiring wealth goes running after money, and does not see that need will come on him.

²³He who says words of protest to a man will later have more approval than one who says smooth words with his tongue.

²⁴He who takes from his father or his mother what is theirs by right, and says, It is no sin; is the same as a taker of life.

²⁵He who is ever desiring profit is a cause of fighting; but he who puts his faith in the Lord will be made fat.

²⁶He whose faith is in himself is foolish; but everyone walking wisely will be kept safe.

²⁷He who gives to the poor will never be in need, but great curses will be on him who gives no attention to them.

²⁸When evil-doers are lifted up, men take cover; but when destruction overtakes them, the upright are increased.

Proverbs 28

¹The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

²In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.

³A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.

⁴Those who forsake the Law praise the wicked; but those who keep the Law contend with them.

⁵Evil men do not understand justice; but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

⁶Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.

⁷Whoever keeps the Law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.

⁸He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.

⁹He who turns away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer is an abomination.

¹⁰Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good.

¹¹The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.

¹²When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

¹³He who conceals his sins doesn't prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

¹⁴Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

¹⁵As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.

¹⁶A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.

¹⁷A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death; no one will support him.

¹⁸Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.

¹⁹One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

²⁰A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

²¹To show partiality is not good; yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

²²A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn't know that poverty waits for him.

²³One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.

²⁴Whoever robs his father or his mother, and says, "It's not wrong." He is a partner with a destroyer.

²⁵One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in the Lord will prosper.

²⁶One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

²⁷One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.

²⁸When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.