Proverbs 28
World English Bible
28 The wicked flee when no one pursues;
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 In rebellion, a land has many rulers,
but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
3 A needy man who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked;
but those who keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men don’t understand justice;
but those who seek Yahweh understand it fully.
6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity,
than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son;
but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 He who increases his wealth by excessive interest
gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.
9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,
he will fall into his own trap;
but the blameless will inherit good.
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes;
but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory;
but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13 He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper,
but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14 Blessed is the man who always fears;
but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15 As a roaring lion or a charging bear,
so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
16 A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment.
One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
17 A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death;
no one will support him.
18 Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe;
but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.
19 One who works his land will have an abundance of food;
but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20 A faithful man is rich with blessings;
but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is not good;
yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 A stingy man hurries after riches,
and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.
23 One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
than one who flatters with the tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “It’s not wrong,”
is a partner with a destroyer.
25 One who is greedy stirs up strife;
but one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
26 One who trusts in himself is a fool;
but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
27 One who gives to the poor has no lack;
but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves;
but when they perish, the righteous thrive.
Proverbs 28
New American Standard Bible
Warnings and Instructions
28 The wicked (A)flee when no one is pursuing,
But the righteous are [a]bold as a lion.
2 Due to a [b]wrongdoing of [c]a land its leaders are (B)many,
But (C)by a person of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.
3 A (D)poor man who oppresses the helpless
Is like a driving rain [d]which leaves no food.
4 Those who abandon the Law (E)praise the wicked,
But those who keep the Law (F)strive against them.
5 Evil people (G)do not understand justice,
But those who seek the Lord (H)understand everything.
6 (I)Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity,
Than a person who is [e]crooked, though he is rich.
7 He who keeps the Law is a discerning son,
But he who is a companion of (J)gluttons humiliates his father.
8 One who increases his wealth by [f](K)interest of any kind,
Collects it (L)for one who is gracious to the poor.
9 One who turns his ear away from listening to the Law,
Even his (M)prayer is an abomination.
10 One who leads the upright astray in an evil way
Will (N)himself fall into his own pit,
But the (O)blameless will inherit good.
11 The rich person is (P)wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding [g]sees through him.
12 When the (Q)righteous triumph, there is great glory,
But (R)when the wicked rise, people [h]hide themselves.
13 One who (S)conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper,
But one who (T)confesses and abandons them will find compassion.
14 How blessed is the person who (U)fears always,
But one who (V)hardens his heart will fall into disaster.
15 Like a (W)roaring lion and a rushing bear
Is a (X)wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A (Y)leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding,
But a person who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 A person who is (Z)burdened with the guilt of human blood
Will [i]be a fugitive until death; no one is to support him!
18 One who walks blamelessly will receive help,
But one who is [j](AA)crooked will fall all at once.
19 (AB)One who works his land will (AC)have plenty of food,
But one who follows empty pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 A (AD)faithful person will abound with blessings,
But one who (AE)hurries to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 To [k](AF)show partiality is not good,
(AG)Because for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 A person with an (AH)evil eye (AI)hurries after wealth
And does not know that poverty will come upon him.
23 One who (AJ)rebukes a person will afterward find more favor
Than one who (AK)flatters with the tongue.
24 He who (AL)robs his father or his mother
And says, “There is no wrong done,”
Is the (AM)companion of a person who destroys.
25 An [l]arrogant person (AN)stirs up strife,
But one who (AO)trusts in the Lord (AP)will [m]prosper.
26 One who (AQ)trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But one who walks wisely will flee to safety.
27 One who (AR)gives to the poor will never lack anything,
But one who [n]shuts his eyes will have many curses.
28 When the wicked rise, people hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:1 Lit confident
- Proverbs 28:2 Or rebellion
- Proverbs 28:2 I.e., the people of a land
- Proverbs 28:3 Lit and there is no bread
- Proverbs 28:6 Lit perverse of two ways
- Proverbs 28:8 Possibly interest on money and food loans
- Proverbs 28:11 Lit examines him
- Proverbs 28:12 Lit will be searched for
- Proverbs 28:17 Lit flee to the pit
- Proverbs 28:18 Lit perverse of two ways
- Proverbs 28:21 Lit regard the face
- Proverbs 28:25 Lit broad soul
- Proverbs 28:25 Lit be made fat
- Proverbs 28:27 Lit hides
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