Proverbs 28

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

¹The wicked people run away when no one chases them, but righteous people are as bold as a young lion.

²Because of the transgression of a land, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, it will last a long time.

³A poor person who oppresses other poor people is like a beating rain that leaves no food.

⁴Those who forsake the law praise wicked people, but those who keep the law fight against them.

⁵Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek Yahweh understand everything.

⁶It is better for a poor person who walks in his integrity, than for a rich person who is crooked in his ways.

⁷He who keeps the law is a son who has understanding, but one who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.

⁸The one who makes his fortune by charging too much interest gathers his wealth for another who will have pity on poor people.

⁹If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.

¹⁰Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a good inheritance.

¹¹The rich person may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor person who has understanding will find him out.

¹²When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked arise, people are sought out.

¹³The one who hides his sins will not prosper, but the one who confesses them and forsakes them will be shown mercy.

¹⁴The one who always lives with reverence is blessed, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into trouble.

¹⁵Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor people.

¹⁶The ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but the one who hates dishonesty will prolong his days.

¹⁷If a man is guilty because he has shed someone's blood, he will be a fugitive until death and no one will help him.

¹⁸Whoever walks with integrity will be kept safe, but the one whose way is crooked will suddenly fall.

¹⁹The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

²⁰A faithful man will have great blessings, but the one who gets rich quickly will not go unpunished.

²¹It is not good to show partiality, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

²²A stingy man hurries after riches, but he does not know that poverty will come upon him.

²³Whoever disciplines someone, afterward will find more favor from him than from the one who flatters him with his tongue.

²⁴Whoever robs his father and his mother and says, “That is no sin,” he is the companion of the one who destroys.

²⁵A greedy man stirs up conflict, but the one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.

²⁶One who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks in wisdom will keep away from danger.

²⁷The one who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but whoever closes his eyes to them will receive many curses.

²⁸When the wicked arise, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.