Add parallel Print Page Options

28 Evil people run even though no one is chasing them,
    but good people are as brave as a lion.

When a country is lawless, it has one ruler after another;
    but when it is led by a leader with understanding and knowledge, it continues strong.

Rulers who mistreat the poor
    are like a hard rain that destroys the crops.

Those who disobey what they have been taught praise the wicked,
    but those who obey what they have been taught are against them.

Evil people do not understand justice,
    but those who follow the Lord understand it completely.

It is better to be poor and innocent
    than to be rich and wicked.

Children who obey what they have been taught are wise,
    but friends of troublemakers disgrace their parents.

Some people get rich by overcharging others,
    but their wealth will be given to those who are kind to the poor.

If you refuse to obey what you have been taught,
    your prayers will not be heard.

10 Those who lead good people to do wrong
    will be ruined by their own evil,
    but the innocent will be rewarded with good things.

11 Rich people may think they are wise,
    but the poor with understanding will prove them wrong.

12 When good people triumph, there is great happiness,
    but when the wicked get control, everybody hides.

13 If you hide your sins, you will not succeed.
    If you confess and reject them, you will receive mercy.

14 Those who are always respectful will be happy,
    but those who are stubborn will get into trouble.

15 A wicked ruler is as dangerous to poor people
    as a roaring lion or a charging bear.

16 A ruler without wisdom will be cruel,
    but the one who refuses to take dishonest money will rule a long time.

17 Don’t help those who are guilty of murder;
    let them run until they die.

18 Innocent people will be kept safe,
    but those who are dishonest will suddenly be ruined.

19 Those who work their land will have plenty of food,
    but the ones who chase empty dreams instead will end up poor.

20 A truthful person will have many blessings,
    but those eager to get rich will be punished.

21 It is not good for a judge to take sides,
    but some will sin for only a piece of bread.

22 Selfish people are in a hurry to get rich
    and do not realize they soon will be poor.

23 Those who correct others will later be liked
    more than those who give false praise.

24 Whoever robs father or mother
    and says, “It’s not wrong,”
    is just like someone who destroys things.

25 A greedy person causes trouble,
    but the one who trusts the Lord will succeed.

26 Those who trust in themselves are foolish,
    but those who live wisely will be kept safe.

27 Whoever gives to the poor will have everything he needs,
    but the one who ignores the poor will receive many curses.

28 When the wicked get control, everybody hides,
    but when they die, good people do well.

28 The wicked flee(A) though no one pursues,(B)
    but the righteous are as bold as a lion.(C)

When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
    but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.

A ruler[a] who oppresses the poor
    is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
    but those who heed it resist them.

Evildoers do not understand what is right,
    but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

Better the poor whose walk is blameless
    than the rich whose ways are perverse.(D)

A discerning son heeds instruction,
    but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.(E)

Whoever increases wealth by taking interest(F) or profit from the poor
    amasses it for another,(G) who will be kind to the poor.(H)

If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
    even their prayers are detestable.(I)

10 Whoever leads the upright along an evil path
    will fall into their own trap,(J)
    but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

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

13 Whoever conceals their sins(M) does not prosper,
    but the one who confesses(N) and renounces them finds mercy.(O)

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

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

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

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

21 To show partiality(U) is not good(V)
    yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.(W)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:3 Or A poor person
  2. Proverbs 28:18 Syriac (see Septuagint); Hebrew into one