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28 The wicked flee when no man pursues,
    but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;
    but by a man of understanding and knowledge, it shall be prolonged.

A poor man who oppresses the poor
    is like a sweeping rain that leaves no food.

Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
    but such as keep instruction contend with them.

Evil men do not understand justice,
    but those who seek the Lord understand all things.

Better is the poor who walks in his uprightness
    than he who is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

Whoever keeps the law is a wise son,
    but he who is a companion of riotous men shames his father.

He who by usury and unjust gain increases his substance
    will gather it for him who will pity the poor.

He who turns away his ear from hearing instruction,
    even his prayer will be an abomination.

10 Whoever causes the righteous to go astray in an evil way,
    he himself will fall into his own pit;
    but the upright will have good things in possession.

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

12 When righteous men rejoice, there is great glory;
    but when the wicked rise, a man hides himself.

13 He who covers his sins will not prosper,
    but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

14 Happy is the man who always fears,
    but he who hardens his heart will fall into mischief.

15 As a roaring lion and a charging bear,
    so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

16 The prince who lacks understanding is also a great oppressor,
    but he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.

17 A man burdened with bloodshed of any person
    will flee until death;
    let no man help him.

18 Whoever walks uprightly will be saved,
    but he who is perverse in his ways will fall at once.

19 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
    but he who follows after vain things will have poverty enough.

20 A faithful man will abound with blessings,
    but he who makes haste to be rich will not be innocent.

21 To show partiality is not good,
    because for a morsel of bread that man will transgress.

22 He who hastens to be rich has an evil eye,
    and does not consider that poverty will come upon him.

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

24 Whoever robs his father or his mother
    and says, “It is no transgression,”
    the same is the companion of a destroyer.

25 He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,
    but he who puts his trust in the Lord will prosper.

26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
    but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

27 He who gives to the poor will not lack,
    but he who hides his eyes will have many a curse.

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

28 The wicked flee(A) though no one pursues,(B)
    but the righteous are as bold as a lion.(C)

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.

Evildoers do not understand what is right,
    but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

Better the poor whose walk is blameless
    than the rich whose ways are perverse.(D)

A discerning son heeds instruction,
    but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.(E)

Whoever increases wealth by taking interest(F) or profit from the poor
    amasses it for another,(G) who will be kind to the poor.(H)

If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
    even their prayers are detestable.(I)

10 Whoever leads the upright along an evil path
    will fall into their own trap,(J)
    but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

11 The rich are wise in their own eyes;
    one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;(K)
    but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.(L)

13 Whoever conceals their sins(M) does not prosper,
    but the one who confesses(N) and renounces them finds mercy.(O)

14 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
    but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
    is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

16 A tyrannical ruler practices extortion,
    but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.

17 Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder
    will seek refuge(P) in the grave;
    let no one hold them back.

18 The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe,(Q)
    but the one whose ways are perverse will fall(R) into the pit.[b]

19 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
    but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.(S)

20 A faithful person will be richly blessed,
    but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.(T)

21 To show partiality(U) is not good(V)
    yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.(W)

22 The stingy are eager to get rich
    and are unaware that poverty awaits them.(X)

23 Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor
    rather than one who has a flattering tongue.(Y)

24 Whoever robs their father or mother(Z)
    and says, “It’s not wrong,”
    is partner to one who destroys.(AA)

25 The greedy stir up conflict,(AB)
    but those who trust in the Lord(AC) will prosper.

26 Those who trust in themselves are fools,(AD)
    but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.(AE)

27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,(AF)
    but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.(AG)

28 When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;(AH)
    but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:3 Or A poor person
  2. Proverbs 28:18 Syriac (see Septuagint); Hebrew into one