Proverbs 28

If You Desert God's Law

1 The wicked are edgy with guilt, ready to run off even when no one's after them; Honest people are relaxed and confident, bold as lions.
2 When the country is in chaos, everybody has a plan to fix it— But it takes a leader of real understanding to straighten things out.
3 The wicked who oppress the poor are like a hailstorm that beats down the harvest.
4 If you desert God's law, you're free to embrace depravity; if you love God's law, you fight for it tooth and nail.
5 Justice makes no sense to the evilminded; those who seek God know it inside and out.
6 It's better to be poor and direct than rich and crooked.
7 Practice God's law—get a reputation for wisdom; hang out with a loose crowd—embarrass your family.
8 Get as rich as you want through cheating and extortion, But eventually some friend of the poor is going to give it all back to them.
9 God has no use for the prayers of the people who won't listen to him.
10 Lead good people down a wrong path and you'll come to a bad end; do good and you'll be rewarded for it.
11 The rich think they know it all, but the poor can see right through them.
12 When good people are promoted, everything is great, but when the bad are in charge, watch out!
13 You can't whitewash your sins and get by with it; you find mercy by admitting and leaving them.
14 A tenderhearted person lives a blessed life; a hardhearted person lives a hard life.
15 Lions roar and bears charge— and the wicked lord it over the poor.
16 Among leaders who lack insight, abuse abounds, but for one who hates corruption, the future is bright.
17 A murderer haunted by guilt is doomed—there's no helping him.
18 Walk straight—live well and be saved; a devious life is a doomed life.

Doing Great Harm in Seemingly Harmless Ways

19 Work your garden—you'll end up with plenty of food; play and party—you'll end up with an empty plate.
20 Committed and persistent work pays off; get-rich-quick schemes are ripoffs.
21 Playing favorites is always a bad thing; you can do great harm in seemingly harmless ways.
22 A miser in a hurry to get rich doesn't know that he'll end up broke.
23 In the end, serious reprimand is appreciated far more than bootlicking flattery.
24 Anyone who robs father and mother and says, "So, what's wrong with that?" is worse than a pirate.
25 A grasping person stirs up trouble, but trust in God brings a sense of well-being.
26 If you think you know it all, you're a fool for sure; real survivors learn wisdom from others.
27 Be generous to the poor—you'll never go hungry; shut your eyes to their needs, and run a gauntlet of curses.
28 When corruption takes over, good people go underground, but when the crooks are thrown out, it's safe to come out.

Proverbs 28

1 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 men of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

3 A needy man that oppresseth the poor Is like a sweeping rain 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 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 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 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 mischief.

15  As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear, So is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16 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 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; 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.