Proverbs 28
Revised Geneva Translation
28 The wicked flee when none pursues. But the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 Because of the transgression of the land, there are many princes thereof. But by a man of understanding and knowledge, a realm endures long.
3 A poor man, if he oppresses the poor, is like a raging rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who forsake the Law, praise the wicked. But those who keep the Law, set themselves against them.
5 Wicked men do not understand judgment. But those who seek the LORD, understand all things.
6 Better is the poor who walks in his uprightness than he who perverts his ways, though he is rich.
7 He who keeps the Law is a child of understanding. But he who feeds the gluttons, shames his father.
8 He who increases his riches by usury and extortion, gathers them for him who will be merciful to the poor.
9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer shall be abominable.
10 He who causes the righteous to go astray by an evil way, shall fall into his own pit. And the upright shall inherit good things.
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes. But the poor who has understanding can search him out.
12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory. But when the wicked arise, man is disguised.
13 He who hides his sins shall not prosper. But he who confesses and forsakes them, shall have mercy.
14 Blessed is the man who is always reverent. But he who hardens his heart shall fall into evil.
15 As a roaring lion and a hungry bear, so is a wicked ruler over poor people.
16 A prince, destitute of understanding, is also a great oppressor. But he who hates covetousness shall prolong his days.
17 A man who does violence to human blood shall flee to the pit. Let no one hold him.
18 He who walks uprightly shall be saved. But he who is perverse in his ways, shall fall all at once.
19 He who tills his land shall be satisfied with bread. But he who follows the idle shall be filled with poverty.
20 A faithful man shall abound in blessings. But he who rushes to be rich shall not be innocent.
21 To have respect of persons is not good; because that man will transgress for a piece of bread.
22 A man with a wicked eye rushes to riches, and does not know that poverty shall come upon him.
23 He who rebukes a man shall find more favor afterward than he who flatters with his tongue.
24 He who robs his father and mother, and says, “It is no transgression”, is the companion of a destroyer.
25 A proud heart stirs up strife. But he who trusts in the LORD shall prosper.
26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool. But he who walks in wisdom shall be delivered.
27 He who gives to the poor shall lack nothing. But he who hides his eyes shall have many curses.
28 When the wicked arise, men hide themselves. But when they perish, the righteous increase.
Proverbs 28
New King James Version
The Righteous Are Bold as a Lion
28 The (A)wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;
But by a man of understanding and knowledge
Right will be prolonged.
6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7 Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,
But a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion
Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.
9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
(G)Even his prayer is an abomination.
10 (H)Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,
He himself will fall into his own pit;
(I)But the blameless will inherit good.
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding searches him out.
12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great (J)glory;
But when the wicked arise, men [b]hide themselves.
13 (K)He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
14 Happy is the man who is always reverent,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a great (N)oppressor,
But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.
17 (O)A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit;
Let no one help him.
18 Whoever walks blamelessly will be [c]saved,
But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
19 (P)He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!
20 A faithful man will abound with blessings,
(Q)But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches,
And does not consider that (T)poverty will come upon him.
23 (U)He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward
Than he who flatters with the tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother,
And says, “It is no transgression,”
The same (V)is companion to a destroyer.
25 (W)He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,
(X)But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.
26 He who (Y)trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.
27 (Z)He who gives to the poor will not lack,
But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.
28 When the wicked arise, (AA)men hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:3 Lit. and there is no bread
- Proverbs 28:12 Lit. will be searched for
- Proverbs 28:18 delivered
- Proverbs 28:21 Lit. recognize faces
Proverbs 28
New American Standard Bible
Warnings and Instructions
28 The wicked (A)flee when no one is pursuing,
But the righteous are [a]bold as a lion.
2 Due to a [b]wrongdoing of [c]a land its leaders are (B)many,
But (C)by a person of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.
3 A (D)poor man who oppresses the helpless
Is like a driving rain [d]which leaves no food.
4 Those who abandon the Law (E)praise the wicked,
But those who keep the Law (F)strive against them.
5 Evil people (G)do not understand justice,
But those who seek the Lord (H)understand everything.
6 (I)Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity,
Than a person who is [e]crooked, though he is rich.
7 He who keeps the Law is a discerning son,
But he who is a companion of (J)gluttons humiliates his father.
8 One who increases his wealth by [f](K)interest of any kind,
Collects it (L)for one who is gracious to the poor.
9 One who turns his ear away from listening to the Law,
Even his (M)prayer is an abomination.
10 One who leads the upright astray in an evil way
Will (N)himself fall into his own pit,
But the (O)blameless will inherit good.
11 The rich person is (P)wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding [g]sees through him.
12 When the (Q)righteous triumph, there is great glory,
But (R)when the wicked rise, people [h]hide themselves.
13 One who (S)conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper,
But one who (T)confesses and abandons them will find compassion.
14 How blessed is the person who (U)fears always,
But one who (V)hardens his heart will fall into disaster.
15 Like a (W)roaring lion and a rushing bear
Is a (X)wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A (Y)leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding,
But a person who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 A person who is (Z)burdened with the guilt of human blood
Will [i]be a fugitive until death; no one is to support him!
18 One who walks blamelessly will receive help,
But one who is [j](AA)crooked will fall all at once.
19 (AB)One who works his land will (AC)have plenty of food,
But one who follows empty pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 A (AD)faithful person will abound with blessings,
But one who (AE)hurries to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 To [k](AF)show partiality is not good,
(AG)Because for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 A person with an (AH)evil eye (AI)hurries after wealth
And does not know that poverty will come upon him.
23 One who (AJ)rebukes a person will afterward find more favor
Than one who (AK)flatters with the tongue.
24 He who (AL)robs his father or his mother
And says, “There is no wrong done,”
Is the (AM)companion of a person who destroys.
25 An [l]arrogant person (AN)stirs up strife,
But one who (AO)trusts in the Lord (AP)will [m]prosper.
26 One who (AQ)trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But one who walks wisely will flee to safety.
27 One who (AR)gives to the poor will never lack anything,
But one who [n]shuts his eyes will have many curses.
28 When the wicked rise, people hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:1 Lit confident
- Proverbs 28:2 Or rebellion
- Proverbs 28:2 I.e., the people of a land
- Proverbs 28:3 Lit and there is no bread
- Proverbs 28:6 Lit perverse of two ways
- Proverbs 28:8 Possibly interest on money and food loans
- Proverbs 28:11 Lit examines him
- Proverbs 28:12 Lit will be searched for
- Proverbs 28:17 Lit flee to the pit
- Proverbs 28:18 Lit perverse of two ways
- Proverbs 28:21 Lit regard the face
- Proverbs 28:25 Lit broad soul
- Proverbs 28:25 Lit be made fat
- Proverbs 28:27 Lit hides
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
