Proverbs Monthly
28 The wicked flee when no one pursues them;
but the righteous, like lions, feel sure of themselves.
2 A land which transgresses [is punished by] having many rulers;
but with a man of understanding and knowledge, stability is prolonged.
3 A poor man who oppresses the weak
is like a downpour that sweeps away all the food.
4 Those who abandon Torah praise the wicked,
but those who keep Torah fight them.
5 Evil people don’t understand justice,
but those who seek Adonai understand everything.
6 Better to be poor and live an honest life
than be crooked in one’s ways, though rich.
7 A wise son observes Torah,
but a friend of those lacking restraint shames his father.
8 He who increases his wealth by charging exorbitant interest
amasses it for someone who will bestow it on the poor.
9 If a person will not listen to Torah,
even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever causes the honest to pursue evil ways
will himself fall into his own pit,
but the pure-hearted will inherit good.
11 The rich man is wise in his own view,
but the poor who has discernment sees through him.
12 When the just are triumphant, there is great rejoicing,
but when the wicked rise up, people hide.
13 He who conceals his sins will not succeed;
he who confesses and abandons them will gain mercy.
14 Happy the person who is never without fear,
but he who hardens his heart will fall into misfortune.
15 Like a roaring lion or a bear prowling for food
is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A prince without discernment is a cruel oppressor,
but one who hates greed will prolong his life.
17 Let a man weighed down with anyone’s blood
flee to a pit; give him no support.
18 Whoever lives blamelessly will be saved,
but he whose ways are crooked will fall in one [of those ways].
19 He who farms his land will have plenty of food,
but he who follows futilities will have plenty of poverty.
20 A trustworthy person will receive many blessings,
but one rushing to get rich will not go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is not good,
though a person may do wrong for a crust of bread.
22 He who is greedy rushes after riches,
not knowing that want will overtake him.
23 He who rebukes another person
in the end gets more thanks than the flatterer.
24 Whoever robs mother or father and says, “That’s not a crime!”
is comrade to the destroyer.
25 A grasping disposition stirs up strife,
but he who trusts in Adonai will prosper.
26 He who trusts in himself is a fool,
but he who lives by wisdom will escape.
27 He who gives to the poor will lack nothing,
but he who hides his eyes will get curses in plenty.
28 When the wicked rise up, people hide;
but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
29 He who remains stiffnecked after much rebuke
will be suddenly and incurably broken.
2 When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice;
but when the wicked are in power, the people groan.
3 Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but a patron of prostitutes wastes his wealth.
4 A king gives stability to a country by justice,
but one who overtaxes it brings it to ruin.
5 A person who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his own steps.
6 In an evil person’s crime is a trap,
but the righteous sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous understands the cause of the poor,
but the wicked is unconcerned.
8 Scoffers can inflame a city,
but the wise can calm the fury.
9 When a wise man argues with a foolish one,
he meets anger and ridicule without relief.
10 Men of blood hate those who are pure
and seek the life of the upright.
11 A fool gives vent to all his feelings,
but the wise, thinking of afterwards, stills them.
12 If a ruler listens to lies,
all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common:
Adonai gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king steadfastly gives justice to the poor,
his throne will be secure forever.
15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom,
but a child left to himself brings shame on his mother.
16 When the wicked flourish, wrongdoing flourishes;
but the righteous will witness their downfall.
17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
yes, he will be your delight.
18 Without a prophetic vision, the people throw off all restraint;
but he who keeps Torah is happy.
19 A slave can’t be disciplined with words;
he may understand, but he won’t respond.
20 Do you see someone too anxious to speak?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 A slave who is pampered from youth
will in the end be ungrateful.
22 Angry people stir up strife;
hot-tempered people commit many crimes.
23 The proud will be humbled,
but the humble will be honored.
24 The accomplice of a thief hates himself;
he hears himself put under oath but discloses nothing.
25 Fearing human beings is a snare;
but he who trusts in Adonai will be raised high [above danger].
26 Many seek the ruler’s favor,
but it is from Adonai that each gets justice.
27 An unjust person is an abomination to the righteous,
but he who lives uprightly is an abomination to the wicked.
Copyright © 1998 by David H. Stern. All rights reserved.