Proverbs 28

Holman Christian Standard Bible

28 The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them,^(A)
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.^(B)

² When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers,^(C)
but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.

³ A destitute leader^[a] who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no food.^(D)

⁴ Those who reject the law praise the wicked,^(E)
but those who keep the law battle against them.^(F)

⁵ Evil men do not understand justice,^(G)
but those who seek the Lord understand everything.^(H)

⁶ Better a poor man who lives with integrity^(I)
than a rich man who distorts right and wrong.^[b](J)

⁷ A discerning son keeps the law,
but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.^(K)

⁸ Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest^(L)
collects it for one who is kind to the poor.^(M)

⁹ Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law—
even his prayer is detestable.^(N)

¹⁰ The one who leads the upright into an evil way
will fall into his own pit,^(O)
but the blameless will inherit what is good.^(P)

¹¹ A rich man is wise in his own eyes,
but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.

¹² When the righteous triumph,
there is great rejoicing,^[c]
but when the wicked come to power,
people hide themselves.^(Q)

¹³ The one who conceals his sins
will not prosper,^(R)
but whoever confesses and renounces them
will find mercy.^(S)

¹⁴ Happy is the one who is always reverent,^(T)
but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.^(U)

¹⁵ A wicked ruler over a helpless people^(V)
is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.^(W)

¹⁶ A leader who lacks understanding
is very oppressive,
but one who hates dishonest profit
prolongs his life.^(X)

¹⁷ A man burdened by bloodguilt^[d]
will be a fugitive until death.^(Y)
Let no one help him.^(Z)

¹⁸ The one who lives with integrity will be helped,
but one who distorts right and wrong^[e]
will suddenly fall.^(AA)

¹⁹ The one who works his land
will have plenty of food,^(AB)
but whoever chases fantasies
will have his fill of poverty.^(AC)

²⁰ A faithful man will have many blessings,^(AD)
but one in a hurry to get rich^(AE)
will not go unpunished.

²¹ It is not good to show partiality^(AF)—
yet a man may sin for a piece of bread.^(AG)

²² A greedy man^[f] is in a hurry for wealth;
he doesn’t know that poverty will come to him.^(AH)

²³ One who rebukes a person will later find more favor^(AI)
than one who flatters^[g] with his tongue.^(AJ)

²⁴ The one who robs his father or mother^(AK)
and says, “That’s no sin,”^(AL)
is a companion to a man who destroys.^(AM)

²⁵ A greedy person provokes conflict,^(AN)
but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper.^(AO)

²⁶ The one who trusts in himself^[h] is a fool,
but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.^(AP)

²⁷ The one who gives to the poor
will not be in need,
but one who turns his eyes away^[i]
will receive many curses.^(AQ)

²⁸ When the wicked come to power,
people hide,
but when they are destroyed,
the righteous flourish.^(AR)