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

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

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

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

21 To show partiality(F) is not good(G)
    yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.(H)

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:18 Syriac (see Septuagint); Hebrew into one

Bible Gateway Recommends