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Proverbs 28
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition
Proverbs 28
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition
28 The wicked flee when no one pursues,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 When a land rebels
it has many rulers;
but with an intelligent ruler
there is lasting order.[a]
3 A ruler[b] who oppresses the poor
is a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
but those who keep the law struggle against them.
5 The evil do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.
6 Better to be poor and walk in integrity
than to be crooked in one’s ways even though rich.
7 Those who keep the law are wise children,
but companions of gluttons shame their parents.
8 One who augments wealth by exorbitant interest
gathers it for another who is kind to the poor.
9 When one will not listen to the law,
even one’s prayers are an abomination.
10 Those who mislead the upright into evil ways
will fall into pits of their own making,
but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
11 The rich is wise in self-esteem,
but an intelligent poor person sees through the pose.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
but when the wicked prevail, people go into hiding.
13 No one who conceals transgressions will prosper,
but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14 Happy is the one who is never without fear,
but one who is hard-hearted will fall into calamity.
15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor;
but one who hates unjust gain will enjoy a long life.
17 If someone is burdened with the blood of another,
let that killer be a fugitive until death;
let no one offer assistance.
18 One who walks in integrity will be safe,
but whoever follows crooked ways will fall into the Pit.[c]
19 Anyone who tills the land will have plenty of bread,
but one who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 The faithful will abound with blessings,
but one who is in a hurry to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is not good—
yet for a piece of bread a person may do wrong.
22 The miser is in a hurry to get rich
and does not know that loss is sure to come.
23 Whoever rebukes a person will afterwards find more favour
than one who flatters with the tongue.
24 Anyone who robs father or mother
and says, ‘That is no crime’,
is partner to a thug.
25 The greedy person stirs up strife,
but whoever trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
26 Those who trust in their own wits are fools;
but those who walk in wisdom come through safely.
27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,
but one who turns a blind eye will get many a curse.
28 When the wicked prevail, people go into hiding;
but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:2 Meaning of Heb uncertain
- Proverbs 28:3 Cn: Heb A poor person
- Proverbs 28:18 Syr: Heb fall all at once
Proverbs 28
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 28
Holman Christian Standard Bible
2 When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers,(C)
but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.
7 A discerning son keeps the law,
but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.(K)
8 Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest(L)
collects it for one who is kind to the poor.(M)
9 Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law—
even his prayer is detestable.(N)
10 The one who leads the upright into an evil way
will fall into his own pit,(O)
but the blameless will inherit what is good.(P)
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes,
but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.
12 When the righteous triumph,
there is great rejoicing,[c]
but when the wicked come to power,
people hide themselves.(Q)
13 The one who conceals his sins
will not prosper,(R)
but whoever confesses and renounces them
will find mercy.(S)
16 A leader who lacks understanding
is very oppressive,
but one who hates dishonest profit
prolongs his life.(X)
18 The one who lives with integrity will be helped,
but one who distorts right and wrong[e]
will suddenly fall.(AA)
19 The one who works his land
will have plenty of food,(AB)
but whoever chases fantasies
will have his fill of poverty.(AC)
20 A faithful man will have many blessings,(AD)
but one in a hurry to get rich(AE)
will not go unpunished.
23 One who rebukes a person will later find more favor(AI)
than one who flatters[g] with his tongue.(AJ)
24 The one who robs his father or mother(AK)
and says, “That’s no sin,”(AL)
is a companion to a man who destroys.(AM)
27 The one who gives to the poor
will not be in need,
but one who turns his eyes away[i]
will receive many curses.(AQ)
28 When the wicked come to power,
people hide,
but when they are destroyed,
the righteous flourish.(AR)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:3 LXX reads A wicked man
- Proverbs 28:6 Lit who twists two ways
- Proverbs 28:12 Lit glory
- Proverbs 28:17 Lit the blood of a person
- Proverbs 28:18 Lit who is twisted regarding two ways
- Proverbs 28:22 Lit A man with an evil eye
- Proverbs 28:23 Lit is smooth
- Proverbs 28:26 Lit his heart
- Proverbs 28:27 Lit who shuts his eyes
Proverbs 28
King James Version
Proverbs 28
King James Version
28 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 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.
3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things.
6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
21 To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.
26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Proverbs 28
International Children’s Bible
Proverbs 28
International Children’s Bible
28 Evil people run even though no one is chasing them.
But good people are as brave as a lion.
2 When a country is disobedient, it has one ruler after another.
But when it is led by a man with understanding and knowledge, it continues strong.
3 Rulers who are cruel to the poor
are like a hard rain that destroys the crops.
4 People who disobey what they have been taught praise the wicked.
But those who obey what they have been taught are against the wicked.
5 Evil people do not understand fairness.
But those who follow the Lord understand it completely.
6 It is better to be poor and innocent
than to be rich and wicked.
7 The son who obeys what he has been taught
shows he is wise.
But the son who makes friends with those who have no self-control
disgraces his father.
8 Some people get rich by overcharging others.
But their wealth will be given to those who are kind to the poor.
9 If you refuse to obey what you have been taught,
your prayers will not be heard.
10 Those who lead honest people to do wrong
will be ruined by their own evil.
But the innocent will be rewarded with good things.
11 A rich man may think he is wise.
But a poor man who has understanding knows the rich man is wrong.
12 When good people win, there is great happiness.
But when the wicked get power, everybody hides.
13 If you hide your sins, you will not succeed.
If you confess and reject them, you will receive mercy.
14 Those who always respect the Lord will be happy.
But those who are stubborn will get into trouble.
15 A wicked ruler is as dangerous to poor people
as a roaring lion or a charging bear.
16 A ruler who is cruel does not have wisdom.
But the one who hates money taken dishonestly will live a long time.
17 A man who is guilty of murder
will run until he dies.
So do not stop him.
18 Innocent people will be kept safe.
But those who are dishonest will suddenly be ruined.
19 The person who works his land will have plenty of food.
But the one who chases useless dreams instead will end up very poor.
20 A truthful man will have many blessings.
But those eager to get rich will be punished.
21 It is not good for a judge to take sides.
But some will sin for just a piece of bread.
22 A selfish person is in a hurry to get rich.
He does not realize his selfishness will make him poor.
23 Those who correct others will later be liked
more than those who give false praise.
24 Some people rob their fathers or mothers
and say, “It’s not wrong.”
Such people are just like those who destroy things.
25 A greedy person causes trouble.
But the one who trusts the Lord will succeed.
26 The person who trusts in himself is foolish.
But the person who lives wisely will be kept safe.
27 The person who gives to the poor will have everything he needs.
But the one who ignores the poor will have many curses put on him.
28 When the wicked get power, everybody hides.
But when the wicked die, the good people do well.
Proverbs 28
New International Version
Proverbs 28
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.(D)
7 A discerning son heeds instruction,
but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.(E)
8 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)
9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
even their prayers are detestable.(I)
10 Whoever leads the upright along an evil path
will fall into their own trap,(J)
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.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;(K)
but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.(L)
13 Whoever conceals their sins(M) does not prosper,
but the one who confesses(N) and renounces them finds mercy.(O)
14 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.
15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
16 A tyrannical ruler practices extortion,
but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.
17 Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder
will seek refuge(P) in the grave;
let no one hold them back.
18 The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe,(Q)
but the one whose ways are perverse will fall(R) into the pit.[b]
19 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.(S)
20 A faithful person will be richly blessed,
but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.(T)
22 The stingy are eager to get rich
and are unaware that poverty awaits them.(X)
23 Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor
rather than one who has a flattering tongue.(Y)
24 Whoever robs their father or mother(Z)
and says, “It’s not wrong,”
is partner to one who destroys.(AA)
27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,(AF)
but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.(AG)
28 When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;(AH)
but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:3 Or A poor person
- Proverbs 28:18 Syriac (see Septuagint); Hebrew into one
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition (NRSVACE)
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993, 1995 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
International Children’s Bible (ICB) 
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.