Proverbs 28
New Living Translation
28 The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,
but the godly are as bold as lions.
2 When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.
But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.
3 A poor person who oppresses the poor
is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.
4 To reject the law is to praise the wicked;
to obey the law is to fight them.
5 Evil people don’t understand justice,
but those who follow the Lord understand completely.
6 Better to be poor and honest
than to be dishonest and rich.
7 Young people who obey the law are wise;
those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.[a]
8 Income from charging high interest rates
will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.
9 God detests the prayers
of a person who ignores the law.
10 Those who lead good people along an evil path
will fall into their own trap,
but the honest will inherit good things.
11 Rich people may think they are wise,
but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.
12 When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.
When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.
13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
14 Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,[b]
but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.
15 A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor
as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.
16 A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people,
but one who hates corruption will have a long life.
17 A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave.
Don’t protect him!
18 The blameless will be rescued from harm,
but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed.
19 A hard worker has plenty of food,
but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.
20 The trustworthy person will get a rich reward,
but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.
21 Showing partiality is never good,
yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.
22 Greedy people try to get rich quick
but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.
23 In the end, people appreciate honest criticism
far more than flattery.
24 Anyone who steals from his father and mother
and says, “What’s wrong with that?”
is no better than a murderer.
25 Greed causes fighting;
trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.
26 Those who trust their own insight are foolish,
but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.
27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,
but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.
28 When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.
When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish.
Proverbs 28
Evangelical Heritage Version
28 The wicked flee even though no one is pursuing them,
but the righteous are bold like a lion.
2 A rebellious land has many rulers,
but one man with understanding and knowledge provides stability.
3 A poor man who oppresses the poor
is a driving rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who abandon the law[a] praise the wicked,
but those who keep the law oppose them.
5 Evil men do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord understand everything.
6 Better a poor person who walks in his integrity
than a rich person who is hypocritical.[b]
7 The son who keeps the law has understanding,
but a companion of gluttons brings shame upon his father.
8 A person who increases his wealth by piling up interest
gathers it for someone who is generous to the needy.
9 A person who turns his ear away from the law—
even his prayer is an abomination.
10 A person who leads the upright along an evil way
will fall into his own pit,
but people of integrity will inherit good.
11 A wealthy person is wise in his own eyes,
but a needy person with understanding will expose him.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is much celebration,[c]
but when the wicked rise to power, people hide.
13 A person who conceals his sins will not prosper,
but one who confesses and abandons them will receive mercy.
14 Blessed is the person who always is afraid of sin,
but one who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15 A wicked ruler over a poor people
is a growling lion or a charging bear.
16 When a ruler lacks understanding, there will be much oppression,
but one who hates ill-gotten gain prolongs his days.
17 A person haunted by the guilt of bloodshed
will be a fugitive until he goes down to the pit.
No one should offer him support.
18 A person who walks with integrity will be saved,
but a person whose ways are crooked will fall all at once.
19 A person who works his land will have plenty of food,
but whoever pursues fantasies will have plenty of poverty.
20 A trustworthy person has many blessings,
but a person in a hurry to get rich will not go unpunished.
21 Showing favoritism is not good,
but a man may sin for a piece of bread.
22 A tightfisted person is in a hurry to get rich,
but he does not know that poverty is coming his way.
23 In the end a person who corrects someone will find more favor
than a person with a flattering tongue.
24 A person who robs his father and his mother
and says, “It’s not a sin,” is no better than[d] a vandal.
25 A greedy person stirs up strife,
but a person who trusts in the Lord will prosper.
26 A person who trusts in his own ideas is a fool,
but a person who walks in wisdom will be kept safe.
27 A person who gives to the poor will lack nothing,
but a person who closes his eyes to them will receive many curses.
28 When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding,
but when the wicked perish, the righteous increase.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:4 Or instruction or teaching
- Proverbs 28:6 Or twisted in his two ways
- Proverbs 28:12 Or confidence. Literally splendor.
- Proverbs 28:24 Or a partner to
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.