Add parallel Print Page Options

In time of civil war
    there are many leaders,
but a sensible leader
    restores law and order.[a]
When someone poor takes over
    and mistreats the poor,
it's like a heavy rain
    destroying the crops.

Lawbreakers praise criminals,
but law-abiding citizens
    always oppose them.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 28.2 but … order: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:3 Or A poor person