Proverbs 28  American Standard Version

28 The wicked flee when no man pursueth;
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
² For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof;
But by ^[a]men of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
³ A needy man that oppresseth the poor
Is like a sweeping rain ^[b]which leaveth no food.
⁴ They that forsake the law praise the wicked;
But such as keep the law contend with them.
⁵ Evil men understand not justice;
But they that seek Jehovah understand all things.
⁶ Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity,
Than he that is ^[c]perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
⁷ Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son;
But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father.
⁸ He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase,
Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.
⁹ He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.
¹⁰ Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way,
He shall fall himself into his own pit;
But the perfect shall inherit good.
¹¹ The rich man is wise in ^[d]his own conceit;
But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
¹² When the righteous triumph, there is great glory;
But when the wicked rise, men ^[e]hide themselves.
¹³ He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper;
But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.
¹⁴ Happy is the man that feareth alway;
But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into ^[f]mischief.
¹⁵ As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear,
So is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
^16 [g]The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor;
But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
¹⁷ A man that is laden with the blood of any person
Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him.
¹⁸ Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered;
But ^[h]he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
¹⁹ He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread;
But he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
²⁰ A faithful man shall abound with blessings;
But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.
²¹ To have respect of persons is not good;
^[i]Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.
²² He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches,
And knoweth not that want shall come upon him.
²³ He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favor
Than he that flattereth with the tongue.
²⁴ Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression,
The same is the companion of a destroyer.
²⁵ He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife;
But he that putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be made fat.
²⁶ He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool;
But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
²⁷ He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack;
But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
²⁸ When the wicked rise, men hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.