Proverbs 28:1-28
28 The wicked flee when no one pursues them,But the righteous are as confident as a lion.*+
2 When there is transgression* in the land, it will have one prince after another,+But with the help of a man of discernment and knowledge, a prince* will long endure.+
3 A poor man who defrauds the lowly+Is like a rain that sweeps away all the food.
4 Those who abandon the law praise the wicked one,But those who observe the law are indignant with them.+
5 Evil men cannot understand justice,But those who seek Jehovah can understand everything.+
6 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrityThan a rich man whose ways are corrupt.+
7 An understanding son observes the law,But a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.+
8 The one who increases his wealth by interest+ and usuryAmasses it for the one who shows favor to the poor.+
9 The one refusing to listen to the law—Even his prayer is detestable.+
10 The one misleading the upright into an evil course will fall into his own pit,+But the blameless will inherit what is good.+
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes,+But a poor man with discernment can see through him.+
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,But when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.+
13 The one covering over his transgressions will not succeed,+But whoever confesses and abandons them will be shown mercy.+
14 Happy is the man who is always on guard,*But whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.+
15 Like a growling lion and a charging bearIs a wicked ruler over a helpless people.+
16 A leader without discernment abuses his power,+But the one hating dishonest profit will prolong his life.+
17 A man burdened with bloodguilt for taking someone’s life* will keep fleeing until the grave.*+
Let no one support him.
18 The one walking faultlessly will be saved,+But the one whose ways are crooked will suddenly fall.+
19 The one cultivating his ground will have plenty of bread,But the one taking up worthless pursuits will have his fill of poverty.+
20 A faithful man will receive many blessings,+But the one hastening to get rich will not remain innocent.+
21 It is not good to show partiality;+But a man might do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 An envious* man is eager for wealth,Not knowing that poverty will overtake him.
23 Whoever reproves a man+ will afterward find more favor+Than someone who flatters with his tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father and mother and says, “It is not wrong,”+
Is a partner of the man who causes ruin.+
25 The greedy person* stirs up dissension,But whoever relies on Jehovah will prosper.*+
26 Whoever trusts in his own heart is stupid,+But the one who walks in wisdom will escape.+
27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,+But the one who closes his eyes to them will receive many curses.
28 When the wicked rise to power, a man hides himself,But when they perish, the righteous increase.+
Footnotes
^ Or “a young lion.”
^ Or “revolt.”
^ Lit., “he.”
^ Or “who is never without fear.”
^ Or “with the blood of a soul.”
^ Or “pit.”
^ Or “greedy.”
^ Or possibly, “The arrogant soul.”
^ Lit., “will be made fat.”
