1The wicked flee though no-one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.2When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.3A ruler[1] who oppresses the poor is like driving rain that leaves no crops.4Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them.5Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.6Better the poor whose way of life is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.7A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.8Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.9If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.10Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.11The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.12When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.13Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.14Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.16A tyrannical ruler practises extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.17Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no-one hold them back.18The one whose way of life is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.[2]19Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.20A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.21To show partiality is not good – yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.22The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them.23Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favour rather than one who has a flattering tongue.24Whoever robs their father or mother and says, ‘It’s not wrong,’ is partner to one who destroys.25The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.26Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.27Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.28When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.
Proverbs 28
English Standard Version
1The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. (Le 26:8; Le 26:17; 1Sa 17:32; Ps 53:5)2When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue. (1Ki 15:27; 1Ki 16:8; 2Ki 15:8)3A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food. (Mt 18:28)4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them. (1Ki 18:18; 1Ki 18:21; Ne 13:11; Ne 13:15; Ps 10:3; Mt 3:7; Mt 14:4; Ro 1:32; Eph 5:11)5Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely. (Ps 92:6; Ps 119:100; Joh 7:17; Joh 12:39; 1Co 2:15; Jas 1:5; 1Jo 2:20; 1Jo 2:27)6Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways. (Pr 19:1; Pr 28:18)7The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father. (Pr 23:20; Pr 29:3)8Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit[1] gathers it for him who is generous to the poor. (Ex 22:25; Le 25:36; Job 27:17; Pr 14:31)9If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. (Ps 109:7; Pr 15:8)10Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance. (Ps 7:15; Mt 6:33)11A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out. (Job 13:9; Pr 26:5; Pr 26:16)12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves. (Pr 11:10; Pr 28:28; Pr 29:2; Ec 10:5)13Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. (Job 31:33; Ps 32:3; Ps 32:5; 1Jo 1:8; 1Jo 1:9)14Blessed is the one who fears the Lord[2] always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity. (Ps 95:8; Pr 23:17; Isa 66:2; Php 2:12)15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. (Ex 1:14; Ex 1:16; Ex 1:22; 2Ki 2:24; Pr 19:12; Mt 2:16; 1Pe 5:8)16A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. (Pr 6:32)17If one is burdened with the blood of another, he will be a fugitive until death;[3] let no one help him. (Ge 9:6)18Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall. (Pr 3:23; Pr 10:9; Pr 28:6)19Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty. (Pr 12:11)20A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. (Pr 16:5)21To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong. (Pr 18:5; Eze 13:19)22A stingy man[4] hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him. (Pr 22:16; Pr 23:6; Pr 28:20)23Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue. (Pr 27:5; Pr 29:5)24Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “That is no transgression,” is a companion to a man who destroys. (Pr 18:9)25A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched. (Pr 11:25; Pr 13:4; Pr 15:18)26Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. (1Co 3:18)27Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse. (Pr 11:24; Pr 19:17; Pr 29:7)28When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase. (Job 24:4; Pr 28:12)