Proverbs 28

1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

2 A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.

3 A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.

4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.

5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.

6 Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.

7 A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

8 He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.

9 Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.

10 He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.

11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

13 He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

14 Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

16 A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.

17 A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.

18 He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.

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

20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

21 To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

22 A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.

23 He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.

24 He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys.

25 A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.

26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.

27 Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.

28 When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.

1 ¶ The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 ¶ For the transgression of a land many [are] the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding [and] knowledge the state [thereof] shall be prolonged.

3 ¶ A poor man that oppresseth the poor [is like] a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

4 ¶ They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

5 ¶ Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all [things].

6 ¶ Better [is] the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than [he that is] perverse [in his] ways, though he [be] rich.

7 ¶ Whoso keepeth the law [is] a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous [men] shameth his father.

8 ¶ He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

9 ¶ He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer [shall be] abomination.

10 ¶ Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good [things] in possession.

11 ¶ The rich man [is] wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

12 ¶ When righteous [men] do rejoice, [there is] great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

13 ¶ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.

14 ¶ Happy [is] the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

15 ¶ [As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; [so is] a wicked ruler over the poor people.

16 ¶ The prince that wanteth understanding [is] also a great oppressor: [but] he that hateth covetousness shall prolong [his] days.

17 ¶ A man that doeth violence to the blood of [any] person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

18 ¶ Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but [he that is] perverse [in his] ways shall fall at once.

19 ¶ He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain [persons] shall have poverty enough.

20 ¶ A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

21 ¶ To have respect of persons [is] not good: for for a piece of bread [that] man will transgress.

22 ¶ He that hasteth to be rich [hath] an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

23 ¶ He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

24 ¶ Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, [It is] no transgression; the same [is] the companion of a destroyer.

25 ¶ He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

26 ¶ He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

27 ¶ He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

28 ¶ When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

1 The wicked man fleeth, and no man chaseth him: but the righteous man is as bold as a lion.

2 For the sin of the land there are many changes of principalities: but for the people's sakes, who are understanding and sensible, they abide long.

3 A poor man that offendeth the lowly is as a meltoid that spoileth the fruit.

4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but they that keep it are unwilling unto them.

5 Wicked men take no heed to judgment: but they that inquire of the LORD take heed to all things.

6 It is better for a poor man to walk in godliness than for a rich man to pray in perverse ways.

7 He that keepeth the law is a child of understanding: but he that feedeth iniquity dishonoureth his father.

8 He that increaseth his goods by usury and extravagance gathereth them for the use of the poor.

9 He that turneth away his ear to hear the law, his prayer is an abomination.

10 He that deceiveth the righteous in an evil way shall fall into his pit: but the righteous shall inherit good things.

11 A rich man thinketh himself wise, but a poor man of understanding knoweth him.

12 When the righteous have the prevalence, ye deal very well: but when the wicked arise, it turneth among the people.

13 He that denieth his iniquity shall not prosper: but he that confesseth and forsaketh it shall obtain mercy.

14 Blessed is he that feareth all things. But he that is stiff-necked shall fall into mischief.

15 A wicked man that ruleth over a poor people is a roaring lion and a ravening bear.

16 If a prince be without understanding, many wrongs are done: but he that hateth covetousness shall live long.

17 A man that worketh iniquity in the blood of one soul shall not obtain, though he go into hell.

18 He that walketh uprightly shall recover: but he that is perverse in his ways shall at once perish.

19 He that tilleth his ground shall have bread enough: but he that followeth idleness shall have poverty enough.

20 A faithful man is much blessed: but he that hasteth to be rich shall not be blameless.

21 To look upon a person is not good: for he would do evil for a piece of bread.

22 He that hasteth to get rich, and is envious, knoweth not that calamity shall befall him.

23 He that reproveth a man shall hereafter find favour, because he that feigneth it.

24 Whosoever taketh from his father or mother, and saith it is not sin, the same is the companion of the destroyer.

25 A proud man stirreth up strife: but he that trusteth in the LORD shall be fat.

26 He that trusteth in his heart is a fool: but he that prayeth with wisdom shall escape.

27 He that giveth to the poor shall not want: but he that turneth away his eyes shall greatly perish.

28 When the wicked arise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous abound.