Proverbs 28:1-13

¹A wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth; but a just man as a lion trusting shall be without fearedfulness. (A wicked person fleeth, when no one pursueth him; but a righteous person shall be without fear, like a trusting lion.)

²For the sins of the land there be many princes of it; and for the wisdom of a man, and for the knowing of these things that be said, the life of the duke shall be the longer. (For the sins of the land there shall be many leaders of it; but with the wisdom and knowledge of a good ruler, the nation shall endure.)

³A poor man falsely challenging poor men, is like a great rain, wherein hunger is made ready. (A poor person who oppresseth the poor or A tyrant who oppresseth the poor, is like a great rain that destroyeth the crops.)

⁴They that forsake the law, praise the wicked man; they that keep the law, be kindled, or stirred up, against him. (They who desert the law, praise the wicked; they who keep the law, be kindled, or stirred up, against them.)

⁵Wicked men think not on doom; but they that seek the Lord, perceive all things. (The wicked do not think about justice; but they who seek the Lord, understand everything about it or understand it well.)

⁶Better is a poor man going in his simpleness, than a rich man in his shrewd ways. (Better is a poor person going in his honesty, or in his integrity, than a rich person in all his depraved ways.)

⁷He that keepeth the law, is a wise son; but he that feedeth gluttons, shameth his father.

⁸He that gathereth together riches by usuries, and free(ly) (made) increases, gathereth those together against poor men. (He who gathereth together riches from high interest rates, and exorbitant increases, gathereth them together for him who will give them to the poor.)

⁹His prayer shall be made cursed, that boweth away his ear (or who turneth away his ear), (so) that he hear not the law.

¹⁰He that deceiveth just men in an evil way, shall fall in his perishing; and just men shall wield his goods. (He who deceiveth the righteous in an evil way, shall fall in his perishing; and the righteous shall possess his goods.)

¹¹A rich man seemeth wise to himself; but a poor man prudent shall search him. (A rich person seemeth wise to himself; but a prudent poor person shall search him out, and find him wanting.)

¹²In the enhancing of just men is much glory; when wicked men reign, fallings of men be. (When the righteous be advanced, or promoted, there is much honour; but when the wicked reign, or rule, there shall be the falling of many people.)

¹³He that hideth his great trespasses, shall not be made rightful; but he that acknowledgeth and forsaketh them, shall get mercy. (He who hideth his great trespasses, shall not be made upright; but he who acknowledgeth and abandoneth them, shall get mercy.)