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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]men of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
A needy man that oppresseth the poor
Is like a sweeping rain [b]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 justice;
But they that seek Jehovah understand all things.
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity,
Than he that is [c]perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son;
But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father.
He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase,
Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way,
He shall fall himself into his own pit;
But the perfect shall inherit good.
11 The rich man is wise in [d]his own conceit;
But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory;
But when the wicked rise, men [e]hide themselves.
13 He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper;
But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.
14 Happy is the man that feareth alway;
But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into [f]mischief.
15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear,
So is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 [g]The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor;
But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17 A man that is laden with the blood of any person
Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him.
18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered;
But [h]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 unpunished.
21 To have respect of persons is not good;
[i]Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.
22 He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches,
And knoweth not that want shall come upon him.
23 He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favor
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 greedy spirit stirreth up strife;
But he that putteth his trust in Jehovah 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.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:2 Or, a man
  2. Proverbs 28:3 Hebrew without food.
  3. Proverbs 28:6 Hebrew perverse of two ways.
  4. Proverbs 28:11 Hebrew his own eyes.
  5. Proverbs 28:12 Hebrew must be searched for.
  6. Proverbs 28:14 Or, calamity
  7. Proverbs 28:16 Or, O prince that lackest understanding and art a great oppressor, He etc.
  8. Proverbs 28:18 Or, he that walketh perversely in two ways
  9. Proverbs 28:21 Or, For for a piece of bread a man will transgress

28 The wicked flee, but no one pursues,
    but the righteous is bold like a lion.
By the rebellion of a land, her rulers increase,
    but by a person of intelligence who knows justice, it will last.
A man who is poor and oppresses the impoverished
    is a beating rain that leaves[a] no food.
Those who forsake instruction will praise the wicked,
    but they who guard instruction will struggle against them.
Men of evil do not understand justice,
    but seekers of Yahweh understand completely.[b]
Better to be poor and walking in one’s integrity
    than to be crooked of ways when one is rich.
He who keeps instruction is a child of understanding,
    but the companion of gluttons will shame his father.
He who augments his wealth with interest and with usury
    gathers it for him who is kind to the poor.
He who turns his ear from listening to instruction,
    even his prayer is an abomination.
10 He who misleads the upright onto the way of evil,
    into his pits he will fall.
    But as for the blameless, they will inherit good.
11 A man of wealth is wise in his own eyes,
    but the intelligent poor sees through him.
12 When the righteous triumphs, great is the glory,
    but with the rising of the wicked, a person will be hidden.
13 He who conceals his transgression will not prosper,
    but he who confesses and forsakes will obtain mercy.
14 Happy is the person who fears continuously,
    but he who is stubborn of heart,[c] will fall into calamity.
15 Like a roaring lion and a charging bear
    is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is[d] a cruel oppressor,
    but those who hate unjust gain will have long[e] days.
17 A person who is burdened with the blood of another,[f]
    until death he will flee;
    do not take hold of him.
18 He who walks in integrity will be safe,
    but he who takes crooked paths will fall in one.
19 He who tills his ground will have plenty bread,
    but he who follows fantasies will have plenty of poverty.
20 A man of faithfulness has abundant blessings,
    but he who hurries to become rich will not go unpunished.
21 Showing partiality[g] is not good,
    and over a morsel of bread, a strong man will do wrong.
22 He who hurries for wealth is a man with an evil eye,[h]
    but he does not know that poverty will come upon him.
23 He who rebukes a person will afterward find more favor
    than he who flatters with the tongue.
24 He who robs his father and his mother and says, “There is no crime,”
    is partner to a man who corrupts.
25 The greedy person[i] will stir up strife,
    but he who trusts in Yahweh will be enriched.
26 He who trusts in his own heart[j] is a fool,
    but he who walks in wisdom will be saved.
27 For he who gives to the poor, there is no lacking,
    but for he[k] who turns his eyes, there are many curses.
28 With the rising of the wicked, humankind will be hidden,
    and with their perishing, the righteous will multiply.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:3 Literally “and there is”
  2. Proverbs 28:5 Or “everything”
  3. Proverbs 28:14 Or “mind”
  4. Proverbs 28:16 Hebrew “and”
  5. Proverbs 28:16 Or “prolong”
  6. Proverbs 28:17 Literally “life”
  7. Proverbs 28:21 Literally “Recognizing faces”
  8. Proverbs 28:22 Literally “a man of evil of eye”
  9. Proverbs 28:25 Literally “wide soul”
  10. Proverbs 28:26 Or “mind,” or “sense”
  11. Proverbs 28:27 Hebrew “those”