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
Common English Bible
28 The wicked run away even though no one pursues them,
but the righteous are as confident as a lion.
2 When a land rebels, there are many leaders;
but a person with understanding brings order.
3 Poor people who oppress the needy
are rain that washes away food.
4 Those who abandon Instruction praise the wicked,
but those who follow Instruction battle them.
5 Evil people don’t understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord understand everything.
6 Better to be poor and walk in innocence
than to be on crooked paths and wealthy.
7 Intelligent children follow Instruction,
but those who befriend gluttons shame their parents.
8 Those who become rich through high interest rates
gather money for those who are generous to the poor.
9 Those who turn their ears from hearing Instruction—
even their prayers will be detested.
10 Whoever misleads those who do right onto an evil path
will fall into their own pit,
but the blameless will inherit good things.
11 Rich people think they are wise,
but an insightful poor person sees through them.
12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great respect,
but people hide when the wicked prosper.
13 Those who hide their sins won’t succeed,
but those who confess and give them up will receive mercy.
14 Happy are those who are continually fearful,
but those whose hearts are hard fall into trouble.
15 A wicked ruler over the poor
is like a growling lion or a prowling bear.
16 A prince without understanding is a cruel oppressor,
but one who hates unjust gain will live long.
17 If someone feels guilty about murder,
don’t hold them back from fleeing to the pit.
18 Those who walk in innocence will be saved,
but those who go on twisted paths will fall into the grave.
19 Those who work the land will have plenty to eat,
but those with worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 Reliable people will have abundant blessings,
but those with get-rich-quick schemes won’t go unpunished.
21 Those who show favoritism aren’t good;
people do wrong for a crust of bread.
22 The stingy try to get rich fast,
unaware that loss will come to them.
23 Those who correct someone will, in the end, find more favor
than those with flattering tongues.
24 Those who steal from their father and mother,
and say, “It’s not a crime,”
are friends of vandals.
25 Greedy people stir up conflict,
but those who trust the Lord become prosperous.
26 Those who trust in their own reasoning are fools,
but those who walk in wisdom will be kept safe.
27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,
but those who turn a blind eye will be greatly cursed.
28 When the wicked rise up, people hide,
but when they are destroyed, the righteous multiply.
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Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible