Proverbs Monthly
28 The wicked run away even though no one pursues them,
but the righteous are as confident as a lion.
2 When a land rebels, there are many leaders;
but a person with understanding brings order.
3 Poor people who oppress the needy
are rain that washes away food.
4 Those who abandon Instruction praise the wicked,
but those who follow Instruction battle them.
5 Evil people don’t understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord understand everything.
6 Better to be poor and walk in innocence
than to be on crooked paths and wealthy.
7 Intelligent children follow Instruction,
but those who befriend gluttons shame their parents.
8 Those who become rich through high interest rates
gather money for those who are generous to the poor.
9 Those who turn their ears from hearing Instruction—
even their prayers will be detested.
10 Whoever misleads those who do right onto an evil path
will fall into their own pit,
but the blameless will inherit good things.
11 Rich people think they are wise,
but an insightful poor person sees through them.
12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great respect,
but people hide when the wicked prosper.
13 Those who hide their sins won’t succeed,
but those who confess and give them up will receive mercy.
14 Happy are those who are continually fearful,
but those whose hearts are hard fall into trouble.
15 A wicked ruler over the poor
is like a growling lion or a prowling bear.
16 A prince without understanding is a cruel oppressor,
but one who hates unjust gain will live long.
17 If someone feels guilty about murder,
don’t hold them back from fleeing to the pit.
18 Those who walk in innocence will be saved,
but those who go on twisted paths will fall into the grave.
19 Those who work the land will have plenty to eat,
but those with worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 Reliable people will have abundant blessings,
but those with get-rich-quick schemes won’t go unpunished.
21 Those who show favoritism aren’t good;
people do wrong for a crust of bread.
22 The stingy try to get rich fast,
unaware that loss will come to them.
23 Those who correct someone will, in the end, find more favor
than those with flattering tongues.
24 Those who steal from their father and mother,
and say, “It’s not a crime,”
are friends of vandals.
25 Greedy people stir up conflict,
but those who trust the Lord become prosperous.
26 Those who trust in their own reasoning are fools,
but those who walk in wisdom will be kept safe.
27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,
but those who turn a blind eye will be greatly cursed.
28 When the wicked rise up, people hide,
but when they are destroyed, the righteous multiply.
29 One who stays stubborn after many corrections
will be suddenly broken, beyond healing.
2 When the righteous become numerous, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked dominate, the people moan.
3 A man who loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,
but one who spends time with prostitutes destroys riches.
4 A king gives stability to the land by justice,
but one who imposes heavy taxes tears it down.
5 People who flatter their friends
spread out a net for their feet.
6 The wicked are snared by their own sin;[a]
the righteous sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous know the rights of the poor,
but the wicked don’t understand.
8 Mockers set a city on fire,
but the wise turn back anger.
9 When the wise make a legal charge against the foolish,
the fools shout, they laugh—there is no calm.
10 Murderous people hate the innocent,
and they seek the lives of the virtuous.
11 Fools show all their anger,
but the wise hold it back.
12 If a ruler listens to lies,
those who serve him will be wicked.
13 The poor and their oppressors have a common bond—
the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king judges the poor honestly,
his throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and correction lead to wisdom,
but children out of control shame their mothers.
16 When the wicked become numerous, so do crimes;
the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Instruct your children; they will give you peace of mind
and bring delight into your life.
18 When there’s no vision, the people get out of control,
but whoever obeys instruction is happy.
19 Servants aren’t disciplined by words;
they might understand, but they don’t respond.
20 Do you see people who are quick to speak?
There is more hope for fools than for them.
21 Pamper servants from a young age,
and later on there will be trouble.
22 Angry people stir up conflict;
hotheads cause much offense.
23 Pride lays people low,
but those of humble spirit gain honor.
24 Those who share plunder with thieves hate themselves;
even under oath, they don’t testify.
25 People are trapped by their fear of others;
those who trust the Lord are secure.
26 Many seek access to the ruler,
but justice comes from the Lord.
27 The unjust person is disgusting to the righteous;
the straight path is disgusting to the wicked.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible