Proverbs 28
New King James Version
The Righteous Are Bold as a Lion
28 The (A)wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;
But by a man of understanding and knowledge
Right will be prolonged.
6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7 Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,
But a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion
Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.
9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
(G)Even his prayer is an abomination.
10 (H)Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,
He himself will fall into his own pit;
(I)But the blameless will inherit good.
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding searches him out.
12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great (J)glory;
But when the wicked arise, men [b]hide themselves.
13 (K)He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
14 Happy is the man who is always reverent,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a great (N)oppressor,
But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.
17 (O)A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit;
Let no one help him.
18 Whoever walks blamelessly will be [c]saved,
But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
19 (P)He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!
20 A faithful man will abound with blessings,
(Q)But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches,
And does not consider that (T)poverty will come upon him.
23 (U)He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward
Than he who flatters with the tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother,
And says, “It is no transgression,”
The same (V)is companion to a destroyer.
25 (W)He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,
(X)But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.
26 He who (Y)trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.
27 (Z)He who gives to the poor will not lack,
But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.
28 When the wicked arise, (AA)men hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:3 Lit. and there is no bread
- Proverbs 28:12 Lit. will be searched for
- Proverbs 28:18 delivered
- Proverbs 28:21 Lit. recognize faces
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
Amplified Bible
Warnings and Instructions
28 The wicked flee when no one pursues them,
But the righteous are as bold as a lion.(A)
2
When a land does wrong, it has many princes,
But when the ruler is a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability endures.
3
A poor man who oppresses and exploits the lowly
Is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food.(B)
4
Those who [a]set aside the law [of God and man] praise the wicked,
But those who keep the law [of God and man] struggle with them.(C)
5
Evil men do not understand justice,
But they who long for and seek the Lord understand it fully.(D)
6
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than he who is crooked and two-faced though he is rich.(E)
7
He who keeps the law [of God and man] is a wise and discerning son,
But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father [and himself].
8
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury (excessive interest)
Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.(F)
9
He who turns his ear away from listening to the law [of God and man],
Even his prayer is repulsive [to God].(G)
10
He who leads the upright astray on an evil path
Will himself fall into his own pit,
But the blameless will inherit good.
11
The rich man [who is conceited and relies on his wealth instead of God] is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor man who has understanding [because he relies on God] is able to see through him.
12
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory and celebration;
But when the wicked rise [to prominence], men hide themselves.
13
He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and [b]turns away from his sins will find compassion and mercy.(H)
14
Blessed and favored by God is the man who fears [sin and its consequence] at all times,
But he who hardens his heart [and is determined to sin] will fall into disaster.
15
Like a roaring lion and a charging bear
Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16
A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding and common sense [and his wickedness shortens his days],
But he who hates unjust gain will [be blessed and] prolong his days.
17
A man who is burdened with the guilt of human blood (murder)
Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him or give him refuge.
18
He who walks blamelessly and uprightly will be kept safe,
But he who is crooked (perverse) will suddenly fall.
19
He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows worthless people and frivolous pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20
A faithful (right-minded) man will abound with blessings,
But he who hurries to be rich will not go unpunished.(I)
21
To have regard for one person over another and to show favoritism is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.
22
He who has an evil and envious eye hurries to be rich
And does not know that poverty will come upon him.(J)
23
He who [appropriately] reprimands a [wise] man will afterward find more favor
Than he who flatters with the tongue.
24
He who robs his father or his mother
And says, “This is no sin,”
Is [not only a thief but also] the companion of a man who destroys.
25
An arrogant and greedy man stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the Lord will be blessed and prosper.
26
He who trusts confidently in his own heart is a [dull, thickheaded] fool,
But he who walks in [skillful and godly] wisdom will be rescued.(K)
27
He who gives to the poor will never want,
But he who shuts his eyes [from their need] will have many curses.(L)
28
When the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves;
But when the wicked perish, the [consistently] righteous increase and become great.(M)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:4 Lit forsake.
- Proverbs 28:13 Lit forsakes.
Proverbs 28
Easy-to-Read Version
28 The wicked are afraid of everything, but those who live right are as brave as lions.
2 A lawless nation will have many bad leaders. But a smart leader will rule for a long time in a land where people obey the law.
3 A leader who takes advantage of the poor is like a hard rain that destroys the crops.[a]
4 Those who refuse to obey the law promote evil. Those who obey the law oppose evil.
5 The wicked don’t understand justice, but those who love the Lord understand it completely.
6 It is better to be poor and honest than rich and evil.
7 A smart son obeys the laws, but a son who spends time with worthless people brings shame to his father.
8 If you get rich by charging high interest rates, your wealth will go to someone who is kind to the poor.
9 When people do not listen to God’s teachings, he does not listen to their prayers.
10 Those who plan to hurt good people will fall into their own traps, but good things will happen to those who are good.
11 The rich always think they are wise, but a poor person who is wise can see the truth.
12 When good people become leaders, everything is great, but when the wicked rise to power, everyone hides.
13 Whoever hides their sins will not be successful, but whoever confesses their sins and stops doing wrong will receive mercy.
14 People who respect others will be blessed, but stubborn people will have plenty of troubles.
15 An evil ruler over those who are helpless is like an angry lion or a charging bear.
16 A foolish ruler hurts the people under him, but a ruler who hates wrong will rule for a long time.
17 A murderer will never have peace. Don’t support such a person.
18 Honest people will be safe, but dishonest people will be ruined.
19 Whoever works hard will have plenty to eat, but whoever wastes their time with dreams will always be poor.
20 People who can be trusted will have many blessings, but those who are just trying to get rich in a hurry will be punished.
21 It is wrong for a judge to support someone simply because he knows them. But some judges will change their decisions for the price of a loaf of bread.
22 Selfish people only want to get rich. They do not realize that they are very close to being poor.
23 Correct someone, and later they will thank you. That is much better than just saying something to be nice.
24 Someone might steal from their parents and say, “I did nothing wrong.” But that person is as bad as an enemy who smashes everything in the house.
25 Greedy people might sue you in court, but those who trust the Lord are rewarded.
26 It is foolish to be too confident. Those who ask for advice are wise and will escape disaster.
27 Whoever gives to the poor will have plenty. Whoever refuses to help them will get nothing but curses.
28 When the wicked rise to power, everyone hides. When they are defeated, good people multiply.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:3 Or “A poor person who takes advantage of beggars is like a hard rain and no food.”
Mishle 28
Orthodox Jewish Bible
28 The rasha flee when none pursueth; but the tzaddikim are bold as a lion.
2 For the peysha eretz (land in rebellion) many are the sarim (rulers) thereof, but by an adam meiven yodei’a (a man of wisdom and knowledge) shall be lasting order.
3 A gever rahsh (poor man) that oppresseth the dalim (poor ones) is like a sweeping matar (rain) which leaveth no lechem (food, crop).
4 They that forsake the torah praise the rasha, but such as be shomer over the torah contend against them.
5 Anshei rah understand not mishpat, but they that seek Hashem understand all things.
6 Better is the rahsh (poor) that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his drakhim (ways), though he be rich.
7 He who keepeth torah is a ben meiven, but he that is a companion of zolelim (gluttons) shameth aviv.
8 He that by neshekh (interest) and increase increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the dalim (poor ones).
9 He that turneth away his ozen from mishmo’a torah (heeding torah), even his tefillah (prayer) shall be to’evah (abomination).
10 He who causeth the yesharim (upright ones) to go astray in a derech rah, he shall fall himself into his own trap, but the blameless ones shall inherit tov.
11 The ish oisher is chacham in his own eyes, but the dal meiven (poor man with understanding) searcheth him out.
12 When tzaddikim do triumph, there is rabbah tiferet (great glory), but when the resha’im rise, the people go into hiding.
13 He that covereth his peysha’im (sins) shall not prosper, but he who confesseth and forsaketh them shall find mercy.
14 Ashrei adam that is reverent always, but he that hardeneth his lev shall fall into ra’ah.
15 As a roaring ari, and a charging dov (bear), so is a wicked moshel (ruler) over the am dal (poor people).
16 The nagid (ruler) lacking tevunot (understanding) is also a great oppressor, but he that hateth betza (ill-gotten gain) shall prolong his yamim (days).
17 If an adam is burdened with dahm (blood, murder) of any nefesh, let him be a fugitive ad bor (till the pit, death); let no ish help him.
18 He who walketh tamim (blamelessly) shall be saved, but he that is perverse in his drakhim shall fall suddenly.
19 He that tilleth his adamah shall have plenty of lechem, but he that chaseth after empty things shall have poverty enough.
20 An ish emunot (faithful man, loyal man) shall abound with birkhot, but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is not tov; for a piece of lechem that gever will transgress.
22 He that hasteth to be rich hath a rah ayin, and considereth not that want shall come upon him.
23 He that rebuketh an adam afterwards shall find more chen (favor) than he that flattereth with the lashon.
24 He who robbeth aviv or immo, and saith, It is no peysha (transgression), the same is the chaver (fellow, companion) of an ish mashchit (man of destruction).
25 The covetous stirreth up strife, but he that putteth his trust in Hashem shall be prospered.
26 He that trusteth in his own lev is a kesil (fool), but he who walketh in chochmah, he shall be delivered.
27 He that giveth unto the rahsh (poor) shall not lack, but he that hideth his eynayim meeteth many curses.
28 When the resha’im rise, adam hide themselves, but when they perish, the tzaddikim increase.
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