28
1 The
wicked flee when
no one pursues;
but the righteous
are as bold as
a lion.
2 In
rebellion, a land
has many rulers,
but order is maintained by
a man
of understanding and
knowledge.
3 A
needy man who
oppresses the poor
is like a driving
rain which leaves no crops.
4 Those who
forsake the law
praise the wicked;
but those who
keep the law
contend with them.
5 Evil
men don’t understand justice;
but those who
seek the
LORD understand it fully.
6 Better
is the poor
who walks in
his integrity
than he who
is perverse in
his ways, and
he is rich.
7 Whoever keeps
the law is
a wise son;
but he who is
a companion of
gluttons shames his
father.
8 He
who increases his
wealth by excessive
interest
gathers it for one
who has pity on
the poor.
9 He
who turns away
his ear from
hearing the law,
even his prayer
is an abomination.
10 Whoever causes
the upright to
go astray in
an evil way,
he will fall
into his own trap;
but the blameless
will inherit good.
11 The
rich man is
wise in his
own eyes;
but the poor who
has understanding 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 doesn’t prosper,
but whoever confesses
and renounces them
finds mercy.
14 Blessed is
the man who always
fears;
but one who hardens
his heart falls
into trouble.
15 As
a roaring lion or
a charging bear,
so is a
wicked ruler over
helpless people.
16 A tyrannical
ruler lacks judgment.
One who
hates ill-gotten gain
will have long
days.
17 A
man who
is tormented by
blood guilt will
be a fugitive
until death.
No one will
support him.
18 Whoever
walks blamelessly
is kept safe;
but one with
perverse ways will
fall suddenly.
19 One who
works his land
will have an
abundance of food;
but one who chases fantasies
will have his
fill of poverty.
20 A faithful
man is rich with
blessings;
but one who
is 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 hurries after
riches,
and doesn’t know
that poverty waits
for him.
23 One
who rebukes a man
will afterward find
more favor
than one who
flatters with the
tongue.
24 Whoever
robs his father or
his mother and says, “It’s not wrong,”
is a partner with
a destroyer.
25 One
who is greedy
stirs up strife;
but one who trusts
in the LORD
will prosper.
26 One
who trusts in
himself is a
fool;
but one who
walks in wisdom
is kept safe.
27 One
who gives to
the poor has
no lack;
but one who closes
his eyes will
have many curses.
28 When
the wicked rise,
men hide
themselves;
but when they perish,
the righteous thrive.