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28 The wicked flee when no one is chasing them! But the godly are bold as lions!

When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily; but with honest, sensible leaders there is stability.

When a poor man oppresses those even poorer, he is like an unexpected flood sweeping away their last hope.

To complain about the law is to praise wickedness. To obey the law is to fight evil.

Evil men don’t understand the importance of justice, but those who follow the Lord are much concerned about it.

Better to be poor and honest than rich and a cheater.

Young men who are wise obey the law; a son who is a member of a lawless gang is a shame to his father.

Income from exploiting the poor will end up in the hands of someone who pities them.

God doesn’t listen to the prayers of those who flout the law.

10 A curse on those who lead astray the godly. But men who encourage the upright to do good shall be given a worthwhile reward.

11 Rich men are conceited, but their real poverty is evident to the poor.

12 When the godly are successful, everyone is glad. When the wicked succeed, everyone is sad.

13 A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.

14 Blessed is the man who reveres God, but the man who doesn’t care is headed for serious trouble.

15 A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor as a lion or bear attacking them.

16 Only a stupid prince will oppress his people, but a king will have a long reign if he hates dishonesty and bribes.

17 A murderer’s conscience will drive him into hell. Don’t stop him!

18 Good men will be rescued from harm, but cheaters will be destroyed.

19 Hard work brings prosperity; playing around brings poverty.

20 The man who wants to do right will get a rich reward. But the man who wants to get rich quick will quickly fail.

21 Giving preferred treatment to rich people is a clear case of selling one’s soul for a piece of bread.

22 Trying to get rich quick is evil and leads to poverty.

23 In the end, people appreciate frankness more than flattery.

24 A man who robs his parents and says, “What’s wrong with that?” is no better than a murderer.

25 Greed causes fighting; trusting God leads to prosperity.

26 A man is a fool to trust himself! But those who use God’s wisdom are safe.

27 If you give to the poor, your needs will be supplied! But a curse upon those who close their eyes to poverty.

28 When the wicked prosper, good men go away; when the wicked meet disaster, good men return.

28 The wicked flee(A) though no one pursues,(B)
    but the righteous are as bold as a lion.(C)

When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
    but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.

A ruler[a] who oppresses the poor
    is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
    but those who heed it resist them.

Evildoers do not understand what is right,
    but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

Better the poor whose walk is blameless
    than the rich whose ways are perverse.(D)

A discerning son heeds instruction,
    but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.(E)

Whoever increases wealth by taking interest(F) or profit from the poor
    amasses it for another,(G) who will be kind to the poor.(H)

If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
    even their prayers are detestable.(I)

10 Whoever leads the upright along an evil path
    will fall into their own trap,(J)
    but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

11 The rich are wise in their own eyes;
    one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;(K)
    but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.(L)

13 Whoever conceals their sins(M) does not prosper,
    but the one who confesses(N) and renounces them finds mercy.(O)

14 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
    but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
    is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

16 A tyrannical ruler practices extortion,
    but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.

17 Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder
    will seek refuge(P) in the grave;
    let no one hold them back.

18 The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe,(Q)
    but the one whose ways are perverse will fall(R) into the pit.[b]

19 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
    but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.(S)

20 A faithful person will be richly blessed,
    but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.(T)

21 To show partiality(U) is not good(V)
    yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.(W)

22 The stingy are eager to get rich
    and are unaware that poverty awaits them.(X)

23 Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor
    rather than one who has a flattering tongue.(Y)

24 Whoever robs their father or mother(Z)
    and says, “It’s not wrong,”
    is partner to one who destroys.(AA)

25 The greedy stir up conflict,(AB)
    but those who trust in the Lord(AC) will prosper.

26 Those who trust in themselves are fools,(AD)
    but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.(AE)

27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,(AF)
    but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.(AG)

28 When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;(AH)
    but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:3 Or A poor person
  2. Proverbs 28:18 Syriac (see Septuagint); Hebrew into one