Proverbs Monthly

28 The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them,^(A)
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.^(B)

² When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers,^(C)
but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.

³ A destitute leader^[a] who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no food.^(D)

⁴ Those who reject the law praise the wicked,^(E)
but those who keep the law pit themselves against them.^(F)

⁵ The evil do not understand justice,^(G)
but those who seek the Lord understand everything.^(H)

⁶ Better the poor person who lives with integrity^(I)
than the rich one who distorts right and wrong.^[b](J)

⁷ A discerning son keeps the law,
but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.^(K)

⁸ Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest^(L)
collects it for one who is kind to the poor.^(M)

⁹ Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law—
even his prayer is detestable.^(N)

¹⁰ The one who leads the upright into an evil way
will fall into his own pit,^(O)
but the blameless will inherit what is good.^(P)

¹¹ A rich person is wise in his own eyes,
but a poor one who has discernment sees through him.

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

¹³ The one who conceals his sins
will not prosper,^(R)
but whoever confesses and renounces them
will find mercy.^(S)

¹⁴ Happy is the one who is always reverent,^(T)
but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.^(U)

¹⁵ A wicked ruler over a helpless people^(V)
is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.^(W)

¹⁶ A leader who lacks understanding
is very oppressive,
but one who hates dishonest profit
prolongs his life.^(X)

¹⁷ Someone burdened by bloodguilt^[d]
will be a fugitive until death.^(Y)
Let no one help him.^(Z)

¹⁸ The one who lives with integrity will be helped,
but one who distorts right and wrong^[e]
will suddenly fall.^(AA)

¹⁹ The one who works his land
will have plenty of food,^(AB)
but whoever chases fantasies
will have his fill of poverty.^(AC)

²⁰ A faithful person will have many blessings,^(AD)
but one in a hurry to get rich^(AE)
will not go unpunished.

²¹ It is not good to show partiality^(AF)—
yet even a courageous person may sin for a piece of bread.^(AG)

²² A greedy one^[f] is in a hurry for wealth;
he doesn’t know that poverty will come to him.^(AH)

²³ One who rebukes a person will later find more favor^(AI)
than one who flatters with his tongue.^(AJ)

²⁴ The one who robs his father or mother^(AK)
and says, “That’s no sin,”^(AL)
is a companion to a person who destroys.^(AM)

²⁵ A greedy person stirs up conflict,^(AN)
but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper.^(AO)

²⁶ The one who trusts in himself^[g] is a fool,
but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.^(AP)

²⁷ The one who gives to the poor
will not be in need,
but one who turns his eyes away^[h]
will receive many curses.^(AQ)

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

29 One who becomes stiff-necked,
after many reprimands
will be shattered instantly—
beyond recovery.^(AS)

² When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, people groan.^(AT)

³ A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,^(AU)
but one who consorts with prostitutes destroys his wealth.^(AV)

⁴ By justice a king brings stability to a land,^(AW)
but a person who demands “contributions”^[i]
demolishes it.^(AX)

⁵ A person who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet.^(AY)

⁶ An evil person is caught by sin,^(AZ)
but the righteous one sings and rejoices.^(BA)

⁷ The righteous person knows the rights^[j] of the poor,^(BB)
but the wicked one does not understand these concerns.

⁸ Mockers inflame a city,^(BC)
but the wise turn away anger.

⁹ If a wise person goes to court with a fool,
there will be ranting and raving but no resolution.^[k](BD)

¹⁰ Bloodthirsty men hate an honest person,^(BE)
but the upright care about him.^[l]

¹¹ A fool gives full vent to his anger,^[m](BF)
but a wise person holds it in check.^(BG)

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

¹³ The poor and the oppressor have this in common:^[n]
the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.^(BI)

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

¹⁵ A rod of correction imparts wisdom,^(BK)
but a youth left to himself^[o]
is a disgrace to his mother.^(BL)

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

¹⁷ Discipline your child,^(BN) and it will bring you peace of mind
and give you delight.

¹⁸ Without revelation^[p](BO) people run wild,^(BP)
but one who follows divine instruction will be happy.^(BQ)

¹⁹ A servant cannot be disciplined by words;
though he understands, he doesn’t respond.^(BR)

²⁰ Do you see someone who speaks too soon?^(BS)
There is more hope for a fool than for him.^(BT)

²¹ A servant pampered from his youth
will become arrogant^[q] later on.

²² An angry person stirs up conflict,
and a hot-tempered one^[r] increases rebellion.^(BU)

²³ A person’s pride will humble him,^(BV)
but a humble spirit will gain honor.^(BW)

²⁴ To be a thief’s partner is to hate oneself;
he hears the curse but will not testify.^(BX)

²⁵ The fear of mankind is a snare,^(BY)
but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected.^[s](BZ)

²⁶ Many desire a ruler’s favor,^(CA)
but a person receives justice from the Lord.^(CB)

²⁷ An unjust person is detestable to the righteous,
and one whose way is upright
is detestable to the wicked.^(CC)