Proverbs 28:14-26

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.

¹⁸If you have integrity, you'll be kept safe, but if you live deviously, you'll fall.

¹⁹If you cultivate the land you'll have plenty of food, but if you chase fantasies you'll end up with nothing.

²⁰If you're trustworthy, you'll be richly rewarded; but if you try to get rich quick, you won't go unpunished.

²¹Showing favoritism isn't good, but some people will do wrong just for a piece of bread.

²²Envious people are in a rush to get rich; they don't realize they'll end up poor.

²³Honest criticism is appreciated later far more than flattery.

²⁴A man who robs his father and mother, and says, “It's not a crime,” is one step away from becoming a murderer.

²⁵Greedy people stir up trouble, but those who trust in the Lord will be successful.

²⁶People who trust their own minds are foolish, but those who follow wise ways will be kept safe.