Proverbs 28:1-14

English Standard Version

28 ^(A)The wicked flee when no one pursues,
    but ^(B)the righteous are bold as a lion.
² When a land transgresses, ^(C)it has many rulers,
    but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
    its stability will long continue.
^3 (D)A poor man who oppresses the poor
    is a beating rain that leaves no food.
⁴ Those who forsake the law ^(E)praise the wicked,
    but those who keep the law ^(F)strive against them.
⁵ Evil men ^(G)do not understand justice,
    but those who seek the Lord ^(H)understand it completely.
^6 (I)Better is a poor man who ^(J)walks in his integrity
    than a rich man who is ^(K)crooked in his ways.
⁷ The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
    but ^(L)a companion of gluttons shames his father.
⁸ Whoever multiplies his wealth ^(M)by interest and profit^{[a]
    (N)}gathers it for him who is ^(O)generous to the poor.
⁹ If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
    even his ^(P)prayer is an abomination.
¹⁰ Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way
    ^(Q)will fall into his own pit,
    but the blameless ^(R)will have a goodly inheritance.
¹¹ A rich man is wise in his ^(S)own eyes,
    but a poor man who has understanding ^(T)will find him out.
¹² When ^(U)the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
    but when ^(V)the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
¹³ Whoever ^(W)conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
    but he who ^(X)confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
¹⁴ Blessed is the one who ^(Y)fears the Lord^[b] always,
    but whoever ^(Z)hardens his heart will fall into calamity.