Proverbs 28

¹The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them, ^a

but the righteous are as bold as a lion. ^b

²When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers, ^c

but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.

³A destitute leader ^d who oppresses the poor

is like a driving rain that leaves no food. ^e

⁴Those who reject the law praise the wicked, ^f

but those who keep the law pit themselves against them. ^g

⁵The evil do not understand justice, ^h

but those who seek the Lord understand everything. ⁱ

⁶Better the poor person who lives with integrity ^j

than the rich one who distorts right and wrong. ^k,^l

⁷A discerning son keeps the law,

but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father. ^m

⁸Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest ⁿ

collects it for one who is kind to the poor. ^o

⁹Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law —

even his prayer is detestable. ^p

¹⁰The one who leads the upright into an evil way

will fall into his own pit, ^q

but the blameless will inherit what is good. ^r

¹¹A rich person is wise in his own eyes,

but a poor one who has discernment sees through him.

¹²When the righteous triumph,

there is great rejoicing, ^s

but when the wicked come to power,

people hide. ^t

¹³The one who conceals his sins

will not prosper, ^u

but whoever confesses and renounces them

will find mercy. ^v

¹⁴Happy is the one who is always reverent, ^w

but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble. ^x

¹⁵A wicked ruler over a helpless people ^y

is like a roaring lion or a charging bear. ^z

¹⁶A leader who lacks understanding

is very oppressive,

but one who hates dishonest profit

prolongs his life. ^aa

¹⁷Someone burdened by bloodguilt ^ab

will be a fugitive until death. ^ac

Let no one help him. ^ad

¹⁸The one who lives with integrity will be helped,

but one who distorts right and wrong ^ae

will suddenly fall. ^af

¹⁹The one who works his land

will have plenty of food, ^ag

but whoever chases fantasies

will have his fill of poverty. ^ah

²⁰A faithful person will have many blessings, ^ai

but one in a hurry to get rich ^aj

will not go unpunished.

²¹It is not good to show partiality ^ak —

yet even a courageous person may sin for a piece of bread. ^al

²²A greedy one ^am is in a hurry for wealth;

he doesn’t know that poverty will come to him. ^an

²³One who rebukes a person will later find more favor ^ao

than one who flatters with his tongue. ^ap

²⁴The one who robs his father or mother ^aq

and says, “That’s no sin,” ^ar

is a companion to a person who destroys. ^as

²⁵A greedy person stirs up conflict, ^at

but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper. ^au

²⁶The one who trusts in himself ^av is a fool,

but one who walks in wisdom will be safe. ^aw

²⁷The one who gives to the poor

will not be in need,

but one who turns his eyes away ^ax

will receive many curses. ^ay

²⁸When the wicked come to power,

people hide,

but when they are destroyed,

the righteous flourish. ^az