Proverbs 28
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 28
1 The wicked flee though none pursue;
but the just, like a lion, are confident.
2 If a land is rebellious, its princes will be many;
but with an intelligent and wise ruler there is stability.[a]
3 One who is poor and extorts from the lowly
is a devastating rain that leaves no food.[b]
4 Those who abandon instruction[c] praise the wicked,
but those who keep instruction oppose them.
5 The evil understand nothing of justice,[d]
but those who seek the Lord understand everything.
6 Better to be poor and walk in integrity
than rich and crooked in one’s ways.(A)
7 Whoever heeds instruction is a wise son,
but whoever joins with wastrels disgraces his father.
8 Whoever amasses wealth by interest and overcharge[e]
gathers it for the one who is kind to the poor.
9 Those who turn their ears from hearing instruction,(B)
even their prayer is an abomination.
10 Those who mislead the upright into an evil way
will themselves fall into their own pit,
but the blameless will attain prosperity.
11 The rich are wise in their own eyes,
but the poor who are intelligent see through them.
12 When the just triumph, there is great glory;
but when the wicked prevail, people hide.[f]
13 Those who conceal their sins do not prosper,
but those who confess and forsake them obtain mercy.[g]
14 Happy those who always fear;[h]
but those who harden their hearts fall into evil.
15 A roaring lion or a ravenous bear
is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 The less prudent the rulers, the more oppressive their deeds.
Those who hate ill-gotten gain prolong their days.
17 Though a person burdened with blood guilt is in flight even to the grave,
let no one offer support.
18 Whoever walks blamelessly is safe,
but one whose ways are crooked falls into a pit.
19 Those who cultivate their land will have plenty of food,
but those who engage in idle pursuits will have plenty of want.(C)
20 The trustworthy will be richly blessed;
but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.(D)
21 To show partiality is never good:(E)
for even a morsel of bread one may do wrong.[i]
22 Misers hurry toward wealth,
not knowing that want is coming toward them.[j]
23 Whoever rebukes another wins more favor
than one who flatters with the tongue.
24 Whoever defrauds father or mother and says, “It is no sin,”(F)
is a partner to a brigand.
25 The greedy person stirs up strife,
but the one who trusts in the Lord will prosper.
26 Those who trust in themselves are fools,
but those who walk in wisdom are safe.
27 Those who give to the poor have no lack,(G)
but those who avert their eyes, many curses.
28 When the wicked prevail, people hide;
but at their fall the just abound.(H)
Footnotes
- 28:2 The first line expresses the paradox that rebellion, far from doing away with rulers, actually multiplies them. The second line is corrupt.
- 28:3 The reference may be to tax farmers who collected taxes and took a commission. The collectors’ lack of wealth was the cause of their oppression of poor farmers. They are like a rain too violent to allow crops to grow.
- 28:4 Instruction: torah; the word is used both for the teaching of the wise and the law of Moses.
- 28:5 Understanding nothing of justice plays on the twofold sense of justice as righteousness and as punishment that comes on the wicked. On the other hand, those who seek the Lord understand everything, i.e., that the Lord punishes the wicked and rewards the righteous (themselves).
- 28:8 Interest and overcharge were strictly forbidden in the old law among Israelites because it was presumed that the borrower was in distress; cf. Ex 22:25; Lv 25:35–37; Dt 23:20; Ps 15:5; Ez 18:8. Divine providence will take the offender’s wealth; cf. Eccl 2:26.
- 28:12 People react in opposite ways to the triumph of good and evil. To the triumph of good, they react by public display, public celebration, and to the triumph of evil, by hiding.
- 28:13 Concealing the faults of another is a good thing in Proverbs (17:9), but concealing one’s own sins is not. Ps 32:1–5 expresses the anguish caused by concealing one’s sins rather than bringing them to light so they can be healed by God.
- 28:14 Fear is a different verb than in the phrase “to fear (or revere) the Lord.” In its only other biblical occurrence (Is 51:13), the verb means to dread an oppressor. The saying states a paradox: those who fear in the sense of being cautious are declared happy, whereas those who are fearless will fall into traps they did not “fear.” In short, there is good fear and bad fear.
- 28:21 Cf. 24:23. Verse 21b warns that even in a light matter one must remain impartial.
- 28:22 “Bad of eye” is the Hebrew idiom for miserly. Misers fail to see that poverty is hurrying toward them because of their wrong attitude toward wealth. Because misers are “bad of eye,” they do not see the danger.
Proverbs 28
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
28 The wicked flee when no one pursues,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 When a land rebels
it has many rulers;
but with an intelligent ruler
there is lasting order.[a]
3 A ruler[b] who oppresses the poor
is a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
but those who keep the law struggle against them.
5 The evil do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.
6 Better to be poor and walk in integrity
than to be crooked in one’s ways even though rich.
7 Those who keep the law are wise children,
but companions of gluttons shame their parents.
8 One who augments wealth by exorbitant interest
gathers it for another who is kind to the poor.
9 When one will not listen to the law,
even one’s prayers are an abomination.
10 Those who mislead the upright into evil ways
will fall into pits of their own making,
but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
11 The rich is wise in self-esteem,
but an intelligent poor person sees through the pose.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
but when the wicked prevail, people go into hiding.
13 No one who conceals transgressions will prosper,
but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14 Happy is the one who is never without fear,
but one who is hard-hearted will fall into calamity.
15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
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.
18 One who walks in integrity will be safe,
but whoever follows crooked ways will fall into the Pit.[c]
19 Anyone who tills the land will have plenty of bread,
but one who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 The faithful will abound with blessings,
but one who is in a hurry to be rich will not go unpunished.
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.
24 Anyone who robs father or mother
and says, “That is no crime,”
is partner to a thug.
25 The greedy person stirs up strife,
but whoever trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
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.
28 When the wicked prevail, people go into hiding;
but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:2 Meaning of Heb uncertain
- Proverbs 28:3 Cn: Heb A poor person
- Proverbs 28:18 Syr: Heb fall all at once
Proverbs 28
Good News Translation
28 The wicked run when no one is chasing them, but an honest person is as brave as a lion.
2 When a nation sins, it will have one ruler after another. But a nation will be strong and endure when it has intelligent, sensible leaders.
3 Someone in authority who oppresses poor people is like a driving rain that destroys the crops.
4 If you have no regard for the law, you are on the side of the wicked; but if you obey it, you are against them.
5 Evil people do not know what justice is, but those who worship the Lord understand it well.
6 Better to be poor and honest than rich and dishonest.
7 Young people who obey the law are intelligent. Those who make friends with good-for-nothings are a disgrace to their parents.
8 If you get rich by charging interest and taking advantage of people, your wealth will go to someone who is kind to the poor.
9 If you do not obey the law, God will find your prayers too hateful to hear.
10 If you trick an honest person into doing evil, you will fall into your own trap.
The innocent will be well rewarded.
11 Rich people always think they are wise, but a poor person who has insight into character knows better.
12 When good people come to power, everybody celebrates, but when bad people rule, people stay in hiding.
13 You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you.
14 Always obey the Lord and you will be happy. If you are stubborn, you will be ruined.
15 Poor people are helpless against a wicked ruler; he is as dangerous as a growling lion or a prowling bear.
16 A ruler without good sense will be a cruel tyrant. One who hates dishonesty will rule a long time.
17 Someone guilty of murder is digging his own grave as fast as he can. Don't try to stop him.
18 Be honest and you will be safe. If you are dishonest, you will suddenly fall.
19 A hard-working farmer has plenty to eat. People who waste time will always be poor.
20 Honest people will lead a full, happy life. But if you are in a hurry to get rich, you are going to be punished.
21 Prejudice is wrong. But some judges will do wrong to get even the smallest bribe.
22 Selfish people are in such a hurry to get rich that they do not know when poverty is about to strike.
23 Correct someone, and afterward he will appreciate it more than flattery.
24 Anyone who thinks it isn't wrong to steal from his parents is no better than a common thief.
25 Selfishness only causes trouble. You are much better off to trust the Lord.
26 It is foolish to follow your own opinions. Be safe, and follow the teachings of wiser people.
27 Give to the poor and you will never be in need. If you close your eyes to the poor, many people will curse you.
28 People stay in hiding when the wicked come to power. But when they fall from power, the righteous will rule again.
Proverbs 28
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.
15 Like (AA)a roaring lion or (AB)a charging bear
is (AC)a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler who (AD)lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 If one is burdened with (AE)the blood of another,
he will be a fugitive until death;[c]
let no one help him.
18 (AF)Whoever (AG)walks in integrity will be delivered,
but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.
19 (AH)Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 A faithful man will abound with blessings,
but whoever hastens to be rich (AI)will not go unpunished.
21 To show (AJ)partiality is not good,
but for (AK)a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 A (AL)stingy man[d] (AM)hastens after wealth
and does not know that (AN)poverty will come upon him.
23 Whoever (AO)rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
than (AP)he who flatters with his tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother
and says, “That is no transgression,”
is (AQ)a companion to a man who destroys.
25 A greedy man (AR)stirs up strife,
but the one who trusts in the Lord will (AS)be enriched.
26 Whoever (AT)trusts in his own mind is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
27 Whoever (AU)gives to the poor will not want,
but he who (AV)hides his eyes will get many a curse.
28 When (AW)the wicked rise, (AX)people hide themselves,
but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:8 That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor
- Proverbs 28:14 Hebrew lacks the Lord
- Proverbs 28:17 Hebrew until the pit
- Proverbs 28:22 Hebrew A man whose eye is evil
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
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Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. For more information about GNT, visit www.bibles.com and www.gnt.bible.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
