Those who forsake the law (A)praise the wicked,
    but those who keep the law (B)strive against them.
Evil men (C)do not understand justice,
    but those who seek the Lord (D)understand it completely.
(E)Better is a poor man who (F)walks in his integrity
    than a rich man who is (G)crooked in his ways.
The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
    but (H)a companion of gluttons shames his father.
Whoever multiplies his wealth (I)by interest and profit[a]
    (J)gathers it for him who is (K)generous to the poor.
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.
17 If one is burdened with (AA)the blood of another,
    he will be a fugitive until death;[c]
    let no one help him.
18 (AB)Whoever (AC)walks in integrity will be delivered,
    but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.
19 (AD)Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
    but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 A faithful man will abound with blessings,
    but whoever hastens to be rich (AE)will not go unpunished.
21 To show (AF)partiality is not good,
    but for (AG)a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:8 That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor
  2. Proverbs 28:14 Hebrew lacks the Lord
  3. Proverbs 28:17 Hebrew until the pit

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