Proverbs 28:1-17

¹The wicked run away even when no one is chasing them, but the good have the trusting boldness of lions.

²When a country is in rebellion, it has many rulers, but a ruler who is wise and knowledgeable provides strength and continuity.

³When someone poor oppresses the poor, it's like heavy rain that beats down the crops.

⁴People who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law fight against them.

⁵Evil people understand nothing about justice, but those who follow the Lord understand it completely.

⁶Better to be poor and have integrity than to be devious and rich.

⁷If you keep the law, you're a wise son, but if you keep bad company you shame your father.

⁸Anyone who gets rich through charging interest and profiteering is only storing it up for someone who is kind to the poor.

⁹God hates the prayers of people who disregard the law.

¹⁰Those who lead good people astray into evil ways will fall into their own traps, but the innocent will receive a good reward.

¹¹The rich see themselves as wise, but poor people with insight see right through them.

¹²When good people win, everyone celebrates, but when the wicked come to power, people hide.

¹³People who hide their sins won't succeed, but those who confess and renounce their sins will be shown kindness.

¹⁴Blessed are those who always respect the Lord, but those who are stubborn end up in a lot of trouble.

¹⁵A wicked ruler lording it over poor people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.

¹⁶An unwise ruler thoroughly extorts his people, but one who refuses to profit illegally will live long.

¹⁷Someone guilty of murder will go on running away from it until they die. Don't try and stop them.