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
1599 Geneva Bible
28 1 The wicked [a]flee when none pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 For the transgression of the land [b]there are many princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge a realm likewise endureth long.
3 A poor man, if he oppress the poor, is like a raging rain that leaveth no food.
4 They that forsake the Law, praise the wicked: but they that keep the Law, set themselves against them.
5 Wicked men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord, understand all things.
6 (A)Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that perverteth his ways, though he be rich.
7 He that keepeth the Law, is a child of understanding: but he that feedeth the gluttons, shameth his father.
8 He that increaseth his riches by usury and interest, gathereth [c]them for him that will be merciful unto the poor.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer shall be [d]abominable.
10 He that causeth the righteous to go astray by an evil way, shall fall into his own pit, and the upright shall inherit good things.
11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit: but the poor that hath understanding, can try [e]him.
12 (B)When righteous men rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked come up, the man [f]is tried.
13 He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that confesseth, and forsaketh them, shall have mercy.
14 Blessed is the man that [g]feareth always: but he that hardeneth his heart, shall fall into evil.
15 As a roaring lion, and an hungry bear, so is [h]a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16 A prince destitute of understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness, shall prolong his days.
17 A man that doeth violence against the blood of a person, shall flee unto the grave, and they shall not [i]stay him.
18 He that walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is froward in his ways, shall once fall.
19 (C)He that tilleth his land, shall be satisfied with bread, but he that followeth the idle, shall be filled with poverty.
20 A faithful man shall abound in blessings, and (D)he that maketh haste to be rich, shall not be innocent.
21 To have respect of persons is not good: for that man will transgress for a piece of [j]bread.
22 A man with a wicked [k]eye hasteth to riches, and knoweth not that poverty shall come upon him.
23 He that rebuketh a man, shall find more favor at the length, than he that flattereth with his tongue.
24 He that robbeth his father and mother, and saith, It is no transgression, is the companion of a man that destroyeth.
25 He that is of a proud heart, stirreth up strife: but he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be [l]fat.
26 He that trusteth in his own heart, is a fool: but he that walketh in wisdom, shall be delivered.
27 He that giveth unto the poor, shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes, shall have many curses.
28 (E)When the wicked rise up, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:1 Because their own conscience accuseth them.
- Proverbs 28:2 The state of the commonweal is oftentimes changed.
- Proverbs 28:8 For God will take away the wicked usurer, and give his goods to him that shall bestow them well.
- Proverbs 28:9 Because it is not of faith which is grounded of God’s word or Law, which the wicked contemn.
- Proverbs 28:11 And judge that he is not wise.
- Proverbs 28:12 He is known by his doings to be wicked.
- Proverbs 28:14 Which standeth in awe of God, and is afraid to offend him.
- Proverbs 28:15 For he can never be satisfied, but ever oppresseth and spoileth.
- Proverbs 28:17 None shall be able to deliver him.
- Proverbs 28:21 He will be abused for nothing.
- Proverbs 28:22 Meaning, him that is covetous.
- Proverbs 28:25 Shall have all things in abundance.
Proverbs 28
English Standard Version
28 (A)The wicked flee when no one pursues,
but (B)the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 When a land transgresses, (C)it has many rulers,
but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
its stability will long continue.
3 (D)A poor man who oppresses the poor
is a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who forsake the law (E)praise the wicked,
but those who keep the law (F)strive against them.
5 Evil men (G)do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord (H)understand it completely.
6 (I)Better is a poor man who (J)walks in his integrity
than a rich man who is (K)crooked in his ways.
7 The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
but (L)a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 Whoever multiplies his wealth (M)by interest and profit[a]
(N)gathers it for him who is (O)generous to the poor.
9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
even his (P)prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way
(Q)will fall into his own pit,
but the blameless (R)will have a goodly inheritance.
11 A rich man is wise in his (S)own eyes,
but a poor man who has understanding (T)will find him out.
12 When (U)the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
but when (V)the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
13 Whoever (W)conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who (X)confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14 Blessed is the one who (Y)fears the Lord[b] always,
but whoever (Z)hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15 Like (AA)a roaring lion or (AB)a charging bear
is (AC)a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler who (AD)lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 If one is burdened with (AE)the blood of another,
he will be a fugitive until death;[c]
let no one help him.
18 (AF)Whoever (AG)walks in integrity will be delivered,
but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.
19 (AH)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 (AI)will not go unpunished.
21 To show (AJ)partiality is not good,
but for (AK)a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 A (AL)stingy man[d] (AM)hastens after wealth
and does not know that (AN)poverty will come upon him.
23 Whoever (AO)rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
than (AP)he who flatters with his tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother
and says, “That is no transgression,”
is (AQ)a companion to a man who destroys.
25 A greedy man (AR)stirs up strife,
but the one who trusts in the Lord will (AS)be enriched.
26 Whoever (AT)trusts in his own mind is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
27 Whoever (AU)gives to the poor will not want,
but he who (AV)hides his eyes will get many a curse.
28 When (AW)the wicked rise, (AX)people hide themselves,
but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:8 That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor
- Proverbs 28:14 Hebrew lacks the Lord
- Proverbs 28:17 Hebrew until the pit
- Proverbs 28:22 Hebrew A man whose eye is evil
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.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
