Proverbs 28:4-16

English Standard Version

⁴ Those who forsake the law ^(A)praise the wicked,
    but those who keep the law ^(B)strive against them.
⁵ Evil men ^(C)do not understand justice,
    but those who seek the Lord ^(D)understand it completely.
^6 (E)Better is a poor man who ^(F)walks in his integrity
    than a rich man who is ^(G)crooked in his ways.
⁷ The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
    but ^(H)a companion of gluttons shames his father.
⁸ Whoever multiplies his wealth ^(I)by interest and profit^{[a]
    (J)}gathers it for him who is ^(K)generous to the poor.
⁹ If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
    even his ^(L)prayer is an abomination.
¹⁰ Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way
    ^(M)will fall into his own pit,
    but the blameless ^(N)will have a goodly inheritance.
¹¹ A rich man is wise in his ^(O)own eyes,
    but a poor man who has understanding ^(P)will find him out.
¹² When ^(Q)the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
    but when ^(R)the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
¹³ Whoever ^(S)conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
    but he who ^(T)confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
¹⁴ Blessed is the one who ^(U)fears the Lord^[b] always,
    but whoever ^(V)hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
¹⁵ Like ^(W)a roaring lion or ^(X)a charging bear
    is ^(Y)a wicked ruler over a poor people.
¹⁶ A ruler who ^(Z)lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
    but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.