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11 The rich is wise in self-esteem,
    but an intelligent poor person sees through the pose.(A)
12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory,
    but when the wicked prevail, people go into hiding.(B)
13 No one who conceals transgressions will prosper,
    but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.(C)
14 Happy is the one who is never without fear,
    but one who is hard-hearted will fall into calamity.(D)
15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
    is a wicked ruler over a poor people.(E)
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.(F)
18 One who walks in integrity will be safe,
    but whoever follows crooked ways will fall into the Pit.[a](G)
19 Anyone who tills the land will have plenty of bread,
    but one who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.(H)
20 The faithful will abound with blessings,
    but one who is in a hurry to be rich will not go unpunished.(I)
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 afterward find more favor
    than one who flatters with the tongue.(J)
24 Anyone who robs father or mother
    and says, “That is no crime,”
    is partner to a thug.(K)
25 The greedy person stirs up strife,
    but whoever trusts in the Lord will be enriched.(L)
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.(M)
28 When the wicked prevail, people go into hiding,
    but when they perish, the righteous increase.

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Footnotes

  1. 28.18 Syr: Heb fall all at once

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;(A)
    but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.(B)

13 Whoever conceals their sins(C) does not prosper,
    but the one who confesses(D) and renounces them finds mercy.(E)

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(F) in the grave;
    let no one hold them back.

18 The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe,(G)
    but the one whose ways are perverse will fall(H) into the pit.[a]

19 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
    but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.(I)

20 A faithful person will be richly blessed,
    but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.(J)

21 To show partiality(K) is not good(L)
    yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.(M)

22 The stingy are eager to get rich
    and are unaware that poverty awaits them.(N)

23 Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor
    rather than one who has a flattering tongue.(O)

24 Whoever robs their father or mother(P)
    and says, “It’s not wrong,”
    is partner to one who destroys.(Q)

25 The greedy stir up conflict,(R)
    but those who trust in the Lord(S) will prosper.

26 Those who trust in themselves are fools,(T)
    but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.(U)

27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,(V)
    but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.(W)

28 When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;(X)
    but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:18 Syriac (see Septuagint); Hebrew into one