Proverbs 28
New Living Translation
28 The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,
but the godly are as bold as lions.
2 When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.
But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.
3 A poor person who oppresses the poor
is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.
4 To reject the law is to praise the wicked;
to obey the law is to fight them.
5 Evil people don’t understand justice,
but those who follow the Lord understand completely.
6 Better to be poor and honest
than to be dishonest and rich.
7 Young people who obey the law are wise;
those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.[a]
8 Income from charging high interest rates
will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.
9 God detests the prayers
of a person who ignores the law.
10 Those who lead good people along an evil path
will fall into their own trap,
but the honest will inherit good things.
11 Rich people may think they are wise,
but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.
12 When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.
When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.
13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
14 Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,[b]
but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.
15 A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor
as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.
16 A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people,
but one who hates corruption will have a long life.
17 A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave.
Don’t protect him!
18 The blameless will be rescued from harm,
but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed.
19 A hard worker has plenty of food,
but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.
20 The trustworthy person will get a rich reward,
but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.
21 Showing partiality is never good,
yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.
22 Greedy people try to get rich quick
but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.
23 In the end, people appreciate honest criticism
far more than flattery.
24 Anyone who steals from his father and mother
and says, “What’s wrong with that?”
is no better than a murderer.
25 Greed causes fighting;
trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.
26 Those who trust their own insight are foolish,
but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.
27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,
but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.
28 When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.
When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish.
Proverbs 28
Christian Standard Bible
2 When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers,(C)
but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.
4 Those who reject the law praise the wicked,(E)
but those who keep the law pit themselves against them.(F)
6 Better the poor person who lives with integrity(I)
than the rich one who distorts right and wrong.[b](J)
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 person is wise in his own eyes,
but a poor one 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.(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 person will have many blessings,(AD)
but one in a hurry to get rich(AE)
will not go unpunished.
21 It is not good to show partiality(AF)—
yet even a courageous person may sin for a piece of bread.(AG)
23 One who rebukes a person will later find more favor(AI)
than one who flatters 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 person who destroys.(AM)
27 The one who gives to the poor
will not be in need,
but one who turns his eyes away[h]
will receive many curses.(AQ)
28 When the wicked come to power,
people hide,
but when they are destroyed,
the righteous flourish.(AR)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.