Proverbs 28

¹The wicked flee when no man pursueth;

But the righteous are bold as a lion.

²For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof;

But by men of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

³A needy man that oppresseth the poor

Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

⁴They that forsake the law praise the wicked;

But such as keep the law contend with them.

⁵Evil men understand not justice;

But they that seek Jehovah understand all things.

⁶Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity,

Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

⁷Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son;

But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father.

⁸He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase,

Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.

⁹He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law,

Even his prayer is an abomination.

¹⁰Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way,

He shall fall himself into his own pit;

But the perfect shall inherit good.

¹¹The rich man is wise in his own conceit;

But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

¹²When the righteous triumph, there is great glory;

But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

¹³He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper;

But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.

¹⁴Happy is the man that feareth alway;

But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

¹⁵As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear,

So is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

¹⁶The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor;

But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

¹⁷A man that is laden with the blood of any person

Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him.

¹⁸Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered;

But he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

¹⁹He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread;

But he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

²⁰A faithful man shall abound with blessings;

But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.

²¹To have respect of persons is not good;

Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.

²²He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches,

And knoweth not that want shall come upon him.

²³He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favor

Than he that flattereth with the tongue.

²⁴Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression,

The same is the companion of a destroyer.

²⁵He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife;

But he that putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be made fat.

²⁶He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool;

But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

²⁷He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack;

But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

²⁸When the wicked rise, men hide themselves;

But when they perish, the righteous increase.