Proverbs 28:2-12
English Standard Version
2 When a land transgresses, (A)it has many rulers,
but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
its stability will long continue.
3 (B)A poor man who oppresses the poor
is a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who forsake the law (C)praise the wicked,
but those who keep the law (D)strive against them.
5 Evil men (E)do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord (F)understand it completely.
6 (G)Better is a poor man who (H)walks in his integrity
than a rich man who is (I)crooked in his ways.
7 The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
but (J)a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 Whoever multiplies his wealth (K)by interest and profit[a]
(L)gathers it for him who is (M)generous to the poor.
9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
even his (N)prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way
(O)will fall into his own pit,
but the blameless (P)will have a goodly inheritance.
11 A rich man is wise in his (Q)own eyes,
but a poor man who has understanding (R)will find him out.
12 When (S)the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
but when (T)the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:8 That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor
Proverbs 28:2-12
New International Version
2 When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.
3 A ruler[a] who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.
4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
but those who heed it resist them.
5 Evildoers do not understand what is right,
but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.
6 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
than the rich whose ways are perverse.(A)
7 A discerning son heeds instruction,
but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.(B)
8 Whoever increases wealth by taking interest(C) or profit from the poor
amasses it for another,(D) who will be kind to the poor.(E)
9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
even their prayers are detestable.(F)
10 Whoever leads the upright along an evil path
will fall into their own trap,(G)
but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.
11 The rich are wise in their own eyes;
one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:3 Or A poor person
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