Proverbs 28

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

28 The wicked flee when no man pursues them, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous are bold as a lion.^(A)

² When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when the ruler is a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge, its stability will long continue.

³ A poor man who oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food [plundering them of their last morsels].^(B)

⁴ Those who forsake the law [of God and man] praise the wicked, but those who keep the law [of God and man] contend with them.^(C)

⁵ Evil men do not understand justice, but they who crave and seek the Lord understand it fully.^(D)

⁶ Better is the poor man who walks in his integrity than he who willfully goes in double and wrong ways, though he is rich.

⁷ Whoever keeps the law [of God and man] is a wise son, but he who is a companion of gluttons and the carousing, self-indulgent, and extravagant shames his father.

⁸ He who by charging excessive interest and who by unjust efforts to get gain increases his material possession gathers it for him [to spend] who is kind and generous to the poor.^(E)

⁹ He who turns away his ear from hearing the law [of God and man], even his prayer is an abomination, hateful and revolting [to God].^(F)

¹⁰ Whoever leads the upright astray into an evil way, he will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.

¹¹ The rich man is wise in his own eyes and conceit, but the poor man who has understanding will find him out.

¹² When the [uncompromisingly] righteous triumph, there is great glory and celebration; but when the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves.

¹³ He who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sins will obtain mercy.^(G)

¹⁴ Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is the man who reverently and worshipfully fears [the Lord] at all times [regardless of circumstances], but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

¹⁵ Like a roaring lion or a ravenous and charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

¹⁶ A ruler who lacks understanding is [like a wicked one] a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness and unjust gain shall prolong his days.

¹⁷ If a man willfully sheds the blood of a person [and keeps the guilt of murder upon his conscience], he is fleeing to the pit (the grave) and hastening to his own destruction; let no man stop him!

¹⁸ He who walks uprightly shall be safe, but he who willfully goes in double and wrong ways shall fall in one of them.

¹⁹ He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless people and pursuits will have poverty enough.

²⁰ A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich [at any cost] shall not go unpunished.^(H)

²¹ To have respect of persons and to show partiality is not good, neither is it good that man should transgress for a piece of bread.

²² He who has an evil and covetous eye hastens to be rich and knows not that want will come upon him.^(I)

²³ He who rebukes a man shall afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.

²⁴ Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, This is no sin—he is in the same class as [an open, lawless robber and] a destroyer.

²⁵ He who is of a greedy spirit stirs up strife, but he who puts his trust in the Lord shall be enriched and blessed.

²⁶ He who leans on, trusts in, and is confident of his own mind and heart is a [self-confident] fool, but he who walks in skillful and godly Wisdom shall be delivered.^(J)

²⁷ He who gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes [from their want] will have many a curse.^(K)

²⁸ When the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves; but when they perish, the [consistently] righteous increase and become many.^(L)