28 (A)The wicked flee when no one pursues,
    but (B)the righteous are bold as a lion.
When a land transgresses, (C)it has many rulers,
    but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
    its stability will long continue.
(D)A poor man who oppresses the poor
    is a beating rain that leaves no food.
Those who forsake the law (E)praise the wicked,
    but those who keep the law (F)strive against them.
Evil men (G)do not understand justice,
    but those who seek the Lord (H)understand it completely.
(I)Better is a poor man who (J)walks in his integrity
    than a rich man who is (K)crooked in his ways.
The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
    but (L)a companion of gluttons shames his father.
Whoever multiplies his wealth (M)by interest and profit[a]
    (N)gathers it for him who is (O)generous to the poor.
If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
    even his (P)prayer is an abomination.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:8 That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor

28 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things.

Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

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28 The wicked flee(A) though no one pursues,(B)
    but the righteous are as bold as a lion.(C)

When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
    but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.

A ruler[a] who oppresses the poor
    is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
    but those who heed it resist them.

Evildoers do not understand what is right,
    but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

Better the poor whose walk is blameless
    than the rich whose ways are perverse.(D)

A discerning son heeds instruction,
    but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.(E)

Whoever increases wealth by taking interest(F) or profit from the poor
    amasses it for another,(G) who will be kind to the poor.(H)

If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
    even their prayers are detestable.(I)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:3 Or A poor person