Add parallel Print Page Options

When a land rebels
    it has many rulers;
but with an intelligent[a] person, honesty endures.(A)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 28.2 Heb intelligent knowledgeable

When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers,(A)
but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.

Read full chapter

12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory,
    but when the wicked prevail, people go into hiding.(A)

Read full chapter

12 When the righteous triumph,
there is great rejoicing,[a]
but when the wicked come to power,
people hide.(A)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 28:12 Lit glory

15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
    is a wicked ruler over a poor people.(A)
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
    but one who hates unjust gain will enjoy a long life.
17 If someone is burdened with the blood of another,
    let that killer be a fugitive until death;
    let no one offer assistance.(B)

Read full chapter

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)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 28:17 Lit the blood of a person

28 When the wicked prevail, people go into hiding,
    but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice,
    but when the wicked rule, the people groan.(A)

Read full chapter

When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, people groan.(A)

Read full chapter

By justice a king gives stability to the land,
    but one who makes heavy exactions ruins it.

Read full chapter

By justice a king brings stability to a land,(A)
but a person who demands “contributions”[a]
demolishes it.(B)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 29:4 The Hb word for contributions usually refers to offerings in worship.

12 If a ruler listens to falsehood,
    all his officials will be wicked.

Read full chapter

12 If a ruler listens to lies,(A)
all his officials will be wicked.

Read full chapter

14 If a king judges the poor with equity,
    his throne will be established forever.(A)

Read full chapter

14 A king who judges the poor with fairness—
his throne will be established forever.(A)

Read full chapter

16 When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases,
    but the righteous will look upon their downfall.(A)

Read full chapter

16 When the wicked increase, rebellion increases,
but the righteous will see their downfall.(A)

Read full chapter

18 Where there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint,
    but happy are those who keep the law.(A)

Read full chapter

18 Without revelation[a](A) people run wild,(B)
but one who follows divine instruction will be happy.(C)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 29:18 Lit vision