Proverbs 28

1The wicked flee though no one is pursuing, but the righteous are as confident as a young lion.

2Because of a land’s transgression, it has many rulers, but through a discerning and knowledgeable man, order endures.

3A poor man who oppresses the lowly is a sweeping rain that leaves no bread.

4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law contend with them.

5Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek Yahweh understand everything.

6Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in his ways, though he is rich.

7Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, but he who associates with gluttons shames his father.

8Whoever increases his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for one who is gracious to the poor.

9Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law—even his prayer is an abomination.

10Whoever leads the upright astray onto an evil path will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit good.

11A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man of understanding examines him.

12When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people go into hiding.

13Whoever covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will be shown mercy.

14Blessed is the man who always fears, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

15Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16A ruler who lacks understanding commits many acts of oppression, but one who hates unjust gain will live long.

17A man burdened by bloodguilt for taking a life will flee to the pit; let no one support him.

18Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but one crooked in his ways will fall at once.

19Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but whoever pursues empty pursuits will have his fill of poverty.

20A faithful man will abound in blessings, but one who hastens to become rich will not go unpunished.

21To show partiality is not good, yet for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

22A greedy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.

23Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than a flatterer.

24Whoever robs his father and his mother and says, “It is no wrong,” is a companion of a destroyer.

25A greedy person stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in Yahweh will flourish.

26Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will escape.

27Whoever gives to the poor will have no lack, but he who turns his eyes away will have many curses.

28When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.