Proverbs 28

The wicked are edgy with guilt, ready to run off
    even when no one’s after them;
Honest people are relaxed and confident,
    bold as lions.

The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,
    but the godly are as bold as lions.

    When the country is in chaos,
    everybody has a plan to fix it—
But it takes a leader of real understanding
    to straighten things out.

When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.
    But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.

The wicked who oppress the poor
are like a hailstorm that beats down the harvest.

A poor person who oppresses the poor
    is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.

If you desert God’s law, you’re free to embrace depravity;
if you love God’s law, you fight for it tooth and nail.

To reject the law is to praise the wicked;
    to obey the law is to fight them.

Justice makes no sense to the evilminded;
those who seek God know it inside and out.

Evil people don’t understand justice,
    but those who follow the Lord understand completely.

It’s better to be poor and direct
    than rich and crooked.

Better to be poor and honest
    than to be dishonest and rich.

Practice God’s law—get a reputation for wisdom;
    hang out with a loose crowd—embarrass your family.

Young people who obey the law are wise;
    those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.^[a]

Get as rich as you want
    through cheating and extortion,
But eventually some friend of the poor
    is going to give it all back to them.

Income from charging high interest rates
    will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.

God has no use for the prayers
    of the people who won’t listen to him.

God detests the prayers
    of a person who ignores the law.

Lead good people down a wrong path
    and you’ll come to a bad end;
    do good and you’ll be rewarded for it.

Those who lead good people along an evil path
    will fall into their own trap,
    but the honest will inherit good things.

The rich think they know it all,
    but the poor can see right through them.

Rich people may think they are wise,
    but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.

When good people are promoted, everything is great,
    but when the bad are in charge, watch out!

When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.
    When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.

You can’t whitewash your sins and get by with it;
    you find mercy by admitting and leaving them.

People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
    but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

A tenderhearted person lives a blessed life;
    a hardhearted person lives a hard life.

Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,^[b]
    but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.

Lions roar and bears charge—
    and the wicked lord it over the poor.

A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor
    as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.

Among leaders who lack insight, abuse abounds,
    but for one who hates corruption, the future is bright.

A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people,
    but one who hates corruption will have a long life.

A murderer haunted by guilt
    is doomed—there’s no helping him.

A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave.
    Don’t protect him!

Walk straight—live well and be saved;
    a devious life is a doomed life.

The blameless will be rescued from harm,
    but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed.

Work your garden—you’ll end up with plenty of food;
    play and party—you’ll end up with an empty plate.

A hard worker has plenty of food,
    but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.

Committed and persistent work pays off;
    get-rich-quick schemes are ripoffs.

The trustworthy person will get a rich reward,
    but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.

Playing favorites is always a bad thing;
    you can do great harm in seemingly harmless ways.

Showing partiality is never good,
    yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.

A miser in a hurry to get rich
    doesn’t know that he’ll end up broke.

Greedy people try to get rich quick
    but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.

In the end, serious reprimand is appreciated
    far more than bootlicking flattery.

In the end, people appreciate honest criticism
    far more than flattery.

Anyone who robs father and mother
    and says, “So, what’s wrong with that?”
    is worse than a pirate.

Anyone who steals from his father and mother
    and says, “What’s wrong with that?”
    is no better than a murderer.

A grasping person stirs up trouble,
    but trust in God brings a sense of well-being.

Greed causes fighting;
    trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.

If you think you know it all, you’re a fool for sure;
    real survivors learn wisdom from others.

Those who trust their own insight are foolish,
    but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.

Be generous to the poor—you’ll never go hungry;
    shut your eyes to their needs, and run a gauntlet of curses.

Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,
    but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.

When corruption takes over, good people go underground,
    but when the crooks are thrown out, it’s safe to come out.