Proverbs 28

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.