28:1 The wicked person flees when there is no one pursuing,1
but the righteous person is as confident2 as a lion.
28:2 When a country is rebellious3 it has many princes,4
but by someone who is discerning and knowledgeable5 order continues.6
28:3 A poor person7 who oppresses the weak
is like8 a driving rain without food.9
28:4 Those who forsake the law10 praise the wicked,11
but those who keep the law contend12 with them.
28:5 Evil people13 do not understand justice,14
but those who seek the Lord15 understand it all.
28:6 A poor person16 who walks in his integrity is better
than one who is perverse in his ways17 even though18 he is rich.19
28:7 The one who keeps the law20 is a discerning child,21
but a companion of gluttons brings shame22 to his father.
28:8 The one who increases his wealth by increasing interest23
gathers it for someone who is gracious24 to the needy.
28:9 The one who turns away his ear25 from hearing the law,
even his prayer26 is an abomination.27
28:10 The one who leads the upright astray in an evil way
will himself fall into his own pit,28
but the blameless will inherit what is good.29
28:11 A rich person30 is wise in his own eyes,31
but a discerning poor person can evaluate him properly.32
28:12 When the righteous rejoice,33 great is the glory,34
but when the wicked rise to power, people are sought out.35
28:13 The one who covers36 his transgressions will not prosper,37
but whoever confesses and abandons them will find mercy.38
28:14 Blessed is the one who is always cautious,39
but whoever hardens his heart40 will fall into evil.
28:15 Like41 a roaring lion or a roving bear,42
so is a wicked ruler over a poor people.43
28:16 The prince who is a great oppressor lacks wisdom,44
but the one who hates45 unjust gain will prolong his days.
28:17 The one who is tormented46 by the murder47 of another will flee to the pit;48
let no one support him.
28:18 The one who walks blamelessly will be delivered,49
but whoever is perverse in his ways will fall50 at once.51
28:19 The one who works his land will be satisfied with food,52
but whoever chases daydreams53 will have his fill54 of poverty.
28:20 A faithful person55 will have an abundance of blessings,
but the one who hastens56 to gain riches will not go unpunished.
28:21 To show partiality57 is terrible,58
for a man will transgress over the smallest piece of bread.59
28:22 The stingy person60 hastens after riches
and does not know that poverty will come on him.61
28:23 The one who reproves62 another63 will in the end64 find more favor
than the one who flatters65 with the tongue.
28:24 The one who robs66 his father and mother and says, “There is no transgression,”
the same is a companion67 to the one68 who destroys.
28:25 The greedy person69 stirs up dissension,70
but the one who trusts71 in the Lord will prosper.72
28:26 The one who trusts in his own heart73 is a fool,
but the one who walks in wisdom74 will escape.75
28:27 The one who gives to the poor will not lack,76
but whoever hides his eyes77 will receive78 many curses.79
28:28 When the wicked rise,80 people81 hide themselves,82
but when they perish,83 the righteous increase.