Proverbs 28

¹The wicked flee when no one pursues them,
But the righteous are as bold as a lion.
² 
When a land does wrong, it has many princes,
But when the ruler is a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability endures.
³ 
A poor man who oppresses and exploits the lowly
Is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food.
⁴ 
Those who ^[a]set aside the law [of God and man] praise the wicked,
But those who keep the law [of God and man] struggle with them.
⁵ 
Evil men do not understand justice,
But they who long for and seek the Lord understand it fully.
⁶ 
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than he who is crooked and two-faced though he is rich.
⁷ 
He who keeps the law [of God and man] is a wise and discerning son,
But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father [and himself].
⁸ 
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury (excessive interest)
Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.
⁹ 
He who turns his ear away from listening to the law [of God and man],
Even his prayer is repulsive [to God].
¹⁰ 
He who leads the upright astray on an evil path
Will himself fall into his own pit,
But the blameless will inherit good.
¹¹ 
The rich man [who is conceited and relies on his wealth instead of God] is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor man who has understanding [because he relies on God] is able to see through him.
¹² 
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory and celebration;
But when the wicked rise [to prominence], men hide themselves.
¹³ 
He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and ^[b]turns away from his sins will find compassion and mercy.
¹⁴ 
Blessed and favored by God is the man who fears [sin and its consequence] at all times,
But he who hardens his heart [and is determined to sin] will fall into disaster.
¹⁵ 
Like a roaring lion and a charging bear
Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
¹⁶ 
A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding and common sense [and his wickedness shortens his days],
But he who hates unjust gain will [be blessed and] prolong his days.
¹⁷ 
A man who is burdened with the guilt of human blood (murder)
Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him or give him refuge.
¹⁸ 
He who walks blamelessly and uprightly will be kept safe,
But he who is crooked (perverse) will suddenly fall.
¹⁹ 
He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows worthless people and frivolous pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
²⁰ 
A faithful (right-minded) man will abound with blessings,
But he who hurries to be rich will not go unpunished.
²¹ 
To have regard for one person over another and to show favoritism is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.
²² 
He who has an evil and envious eye hurries to be rich
And does not know that poverty will come upon him.
²³ 
He who [appropriately] reprimands a [wise] man will afterward find more favor
Than he who flatters with the tongue.
²⁴ 
He who robs his father or his mother
And says, “This is no sin,”
Is [not only a thief but also] the companion of a man who destroys.
²⁵ 
An arrogant and greedy man stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the Lord will be blessed and prosper.
²⁶ 
He who trusts confidently in his own heart is a [dull, thickheaded] fool,
But he who walks in [skillful and godly] wisdom will be rescued.
²⁷ 
He who gives to the poor will never want,
But he who shuts his eyes [from their need] will have many curses.
²⁸ 
When the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves;
But when the wicked perish, the [consistently] righteous increase and become great.