Proverbs [Sayings] 28:2-26

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 Torah ·Teaching· praise the wicked; but those who keep the Torah ·Teaching· contend with them.

⁵Evil men don’t understand mishpat ·justice·; but those who seek Adonai 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 Torah ·Teaching· 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 sh'ma ·hearing obeying· the Torah ·Teaching·, 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 upright triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

¹³He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever yadah ·extend hands in confession· and forsake renounces them finds racham ·merciful love·.

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 the pit (of Abbadon, the unrighteous side of Sheol); 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 does not know that poverty waits for him.

²³One who rebukes a man will afterward find more chen ·grace· 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 Adonai will prosper.

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