Proverbs 28–29

The wicked ^aflee when no man pursueth:

But the righteous are bold as a lion.

²For the transgression of a land ^bmany are the princes thereof:

But by a man of understanding and knowledge the ^cstate thereof shall be prolonged.

³A poor man that oppresseth the ^dpoor

Is like a ^esweeping rain which leaveth no food.

⁴They that forsake the law ^fpraise the wicked:

But such as keep the law ^gcontend with them.

^5hEvil men understand not judgment:

But ⁱthey that seek the Lord understand all things.

^6kBetter is the poor ^klthat walketh in his uprightness,

Than he that is ^lperverse in his ways, though he be rich.

⁷Whoso keepeth the law is ^ma wise son:

But he that is a companion of riotous men ⁿshameth his father.

^8oHe that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance,

^pHe shall gather it for ^qhim that will pity the poor.

⁹He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law,

Even ^rhis prayer shall be abomination.

¹⁰Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way,

^sHe shall fall himself into his own pit:

But the upright ^tshall have good things in possession.

¹¹The rich man is wise in his own conceit;

But the poor that hath understanding ^usearcheth him out.

^12xWhen righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory:

But ^ywhen the wicked rise, a man is ^zhidden.

^13abHe that covereth his sins shall not prosper:

But ^bwhoso ^cconfesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

¹⁴Happy is the man ^dthat feareth ^ealway:

But he that ^fhardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

^15gAs a roaring lion, and a ^hranging bear;

So is ⁱa wicked ruler over the poor people.

¹⁶The prince ^jthat wanteth understanding is also a great ^koppressor:

But he that hateth ^kcovetousness shall prolong his days.

^17lA man that doeth violence to the blood of any person

Shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

^18mWhoso ⁿwalketh uprightly shall be saved:

But he that is ⁿperverse in his ways shall fall at once.

^19oHe that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread:

But he that ^pfolloweth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

²⁰A faithful man shall abound with blessings:

But ^qhe that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

^21rTo have respect of persons is not good:

For ^sfor a piece of bread that man will transgress.

^22tHe that ^uhasteth to be rich hath ^van evil eye,

And considereth not that ^wpoverty shall come upon him.

^23xHe that rebuketh a man, afterwards shall find more favour

Than he that ^yflattereth with the tongue.

²⁴Whoso robbeth his father or his mother,

And saith, It is no transgression;

The same ^zis the companion of ^za destroyer.

^25aHe that is ^bof a proud heart ^cstirreth up strife:

But he that putteth his trust in the Lord ^dshall be made fat.

^26eHe that trusteth in his own heart is a fool:

But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

^27fHe that giveth unto the poor ^gshall not lack:

But he that ^hhideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

²⁸ⁱWhen the wicked rise, men ^khide themselves:

But when they perish, the righteous increase.

XXIX.^aHe, that being often reproved ^bhardeneth his neck,

Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that ^cwithout remedy.

^2dWhen the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice:

But ^ewhen the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

^3fWhoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father:

But ^ghe that ^hkeepeth company with harlots ⁱspendeth his substance.

⁴The king by judgment ^jstablisheth the land:

But he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

⁵A man that ^lflattereth his neighbour

Spreadeth ^ma net for his feet.

⁶ⁿIn the transgression of an evil man there is a snare:

But ^othe righteous doth ^psing and rejoice.

^7qThe righteous considereth the cause of the poor:

But ^rthe wicked regardeth not to know it.

^8sScornful men bring a city into a snare:

But wise men turn away wrath.

⁹If a wise man ^tcontendeth with a foolish man,

^uWhether he rage or laugh, there is no ^xrest.

^10yThe bloodthirsty hate the upright:

But the just seek his soul.

^11zA fool uttereth all his mind:

But a wise man ^akeepeth it in till afterwards.

^12bIf a ruler hearken to lies,

All his servants are wicked.

¹³The poor and the deceitful man ^cmeet together:

^dThe Lord lighteneth both their eyes.

^14eThe king that faithfully judgeth the poor,

^fHis throne shall be established for ever.

^15gThe rod and reproof give wisdom:

But a child ^hleft to himself ⁱbringeth ^khis mother to shame.

¹⁶When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth:

But ^lthe righteous shall ^msee their fall.

^17gnCorrect thy son, and he shall give thee rest;

Yea, ^khe shall give delight unto thy soul.

^18oWhere there is no vision, the people perish:

But ^phe that keepeth the law, happy is he.

^19sA servant will not be corrected by words:

For though he understand he will not answer.

^20qSeest thou a man that is hasty in his words?

^rThere is more hope of a fool than of him.

²¹He that delicately bringeth up ^shis servant from a child

Shall have him become his son at the length.

^22tAn angry man stirreth up strife,

And ^ua furious man aboundeth in transgression.

²³A ^wman’s pride shall bring him low:

But honour shall uphold the ^xhumble in spirit.

²⁴Whoso is partner with a thief ^yhateth his own soul:

^zHe heareth cursing, and ^abewrayeth it not.

^25bThe fear of man bringeth a snare:

But whoso ^cputteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.

^26dMany seek the ruler’s favour;

But every man’s ^ejudgment cometh from the Lord.

^27fAn unjust man is an abomination to the just:

And he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

XXX.