Proverbs 28:15-28

Christian Standard Bible

¹⁵ A wicked ruler over a helpless people^(A)
is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.^(B)

¹⁶ A leader who lacks understanding
is very oppressive,
but one who hates dishonest profit
prolongs his life.^(C)

¹⁷ Someone burdened by bloodguilt^[a]
will be a fugitive until death.^(D)
Let no one help him.^(E)

¹⁸ The one who lives with integrity will be helped,
but one who distorts right and wrong^[b]
will suddenly fall.^(F)

¹⁹ The one who works his land
will have plenty of food,^(G)
but whoever chases fantasies
will have his fill of poverty.^(H)

²⁰ A faithful person will have many blessings,^(I)
but one in a hurry to get rich^(J)
will not go unpunished.

²¹ It is not good to show partiality^(K)—
yet even a courageous person may sin for a piece of bread.^(L)

²² A greedy one^[c] is in a hurry for wealth;
he doesn’t know that poverty will come to him.^(M)

²³ One who rebukes a person will later find more favor^(N)
than one who flatters with his tongue.^(O)

²⁴ The one who robs his father or mother^(P)
and says, “That’s no sin,”^(Q)
is a companion to a person who destroys.^(R)

²⁵ A greedy person stirs up conflict,^(S)
but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper.^(T)

²⁶ The one who trusts in himself^[d] is a fool,
but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.^(U)

²⁷ The one who gives to the poor
will not be in need,
but one who turns his eyes away^[e]
will receive many curses.^(V)

²⁸ When the wicked come to power,
people hide,
but when they are destroyed,
the righteous flourish.^(W)