Proverbs 28
1
The wicked flee when no one
pursues,
But the righteous are
bold as a lion.
2 Because of the
transgression of a land,
many are its princes;
But by a man of
understanding and
knowledge
Right will be
prolonged.
3 A poor man who
oppresses the poor
Is like a
driving rain which leaves no
food.
4 Those who forsake
the law praise the wicked,
But such as keep the
law contend with them.
5 Evil men do not
understand justice,
But those who seek the
LORD understand all.
6 Better is
the poor who walks in his
integrity
Than one perverse
in his ways, though he
be rich.
7 Whoever keeps the
law is a discerning
son,
But a companion of
gluttons shames his father.
8 One who increases
his possessions by usury and
extortion
Gathers it for him who
will pity the poor.
9 One 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 himself will fall
into his own pit;
But the blameless will
inherit good.
11 The rich man is
wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has
understanding searches him
out.
12 When the righteous
rejoice, there is
great glory;
But when the wicked
arise, men hide themselves.
13 He who covers his
sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses
and forsakes them
will have mercy.
14 Happy is
the man who is always
reverent,
But he who hardens his
heart will fall into
calamity.
15 Like a
roaring lion and a charging
bear
Is a wicked
ruler over poor people.
16 A ruler who lacks
understanding is a
great oppressor,
But he who
hates covetousness will
prolong his days.
17 A man burdened
with bloodshed will flee
into a pit;
Let no one help him.
18 Whoever walks
blamelessly will be saved,
But he who is
perverse in his ways
will suddenly fall.
19 He who tills his
land will have plenty of
bread,
But he who follows
frivolity will have poverty
enough!
20 A faithful man
will abound with blessings,
But he who hastens to
be rich will not go
unpunished.
21 To show partiality
is not good,
Because for a piece of
bread a man will transgress.
22 A man with an evil
eye hastens after riches,
And does not consider
that poverty will come upon
him.
23 He who rebukes a
man will find more favor
afterward
Than he who flatters
with the tongue.
24 Whoever robs his
father or his mother,
And says, “It is
no transgression,”
The same is
companion to a destroyer.
25 He who is of a
proud heart stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in
the LORD will be prospered.
26 He who trusts in
his own heart is a fool,
But whoever walks
wisely will be delivered.
27 He who gives to
the poor will not lack,
But he who hides his
eyes will have many curses.
28 When the wicked
arise, men hide themselves;
But when they perish,
the righteous increase.