Proverbs 28–29

28The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them,^f

but the righteous are as bold as a lion.^g

²When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers,^h

but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.

³A destitute leader^C who oppresses the poor

is like a driving rain that leaves no food.ⁱ

⁴Those who reject the law praise the wicked,^j

but those who keep the law pit themselves against them.^k

⁵The evil do not understand justice,^l

but those who seek the Lord understand everything.^m

⁶Better the poor person who lives with integrityⁿ

than the rich one who distorts right and wrong.^Ao

⁷A discerning son keeps the law,

but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.^p

⁸Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest^q

collects it for one who is kind to the poor.^r

⁹Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law—

even his prayer is detestable.^s

¹⁰The one who leads the upright into an evil way

will fall into his own pit,^t

but the blameless will inherit what is good.^u

¹¹A rich person is wise in his own eyes,

but a poor one who has discernment sees through him.

¹²When the righteous triumph,

there is great rejoicing,^B

but when the wicked come to power,

people hide.^v

¹³The one who conceals his sins

will not prosper,^w

but whoever confesses and renounces them

will find mercy.^x

¹⁴Happy is the one who is always reverent,^y

but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.^z

¹⁵A wicked ruler over a helpless people^aa

is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.^ab

¹⁶A leader who lacks understanding

is very oppressive,

but one who hates dishonest profit

prolongs his life.^ac

¹⁷Someone burdened by bloodguilt^C

will be a fugitive until death.^ad

Let no one help him.^ae

¹⁸The one who lives with integrity will be helped,

but one who distorts right and wrong^D

will suddenly fall.^a

¹⁹The one who works his land

will have plenty of food,^b

but whoever chases fantasies

will have his fill of poverty.^c

²⁰A faithful person will have many blessings,^d

but one in a hurry to get rich^e

will not go unpunished.

²¹It is not good to show partiality^f —

yet even a courageous person may sin for a piece of bread.^g

²²A greedy one^A is in a hurry for wealth;

he doesn’t know that poverty will come to him.^h

²³One who rebukes a person will later find more favorⁱ

than one who flatters with his tongue.^j

²⁴The one who robs his father or mother^k

and says, “That’s no sin,”^l

is a companion to a person who destroys.^m

²⁵A greedy person stirs up conflict,ⁿ

but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper.^o

²⁶The one who trusts in himself^B is a fool,

but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.^p

²⁷The one who gives to the poor

will not be in need,

but one who turns his eyes away^C

will receive many curses.^q

²⁸When the wicked come to power,

people hide,

but when they are destroyed,

the righteous flourish.^r

29One who becomes stiff-necked,

after many reprimands

will be shattered instantly—

beyond recovery.^s

²When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice,

but when the wicked rule, people groan.^t

³A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,^u

but one who consorts with prostitutes destroys his wealth.^v

⁴By justice a king brings stability to a land,^w

but a person who demands “contributions”^D

demolishes it.^x

⁵A person who flatters his neighbor

spreads a net for his feet.^y

⁶An evil person is caught by sin,^z

but the righteous one sings and rejoices.^aa

⁷The righteous person knows the rights^E of the poor,^ab

but the wicked one does not understand these concerns.

⁸Mockers inflame a city,^ac

but the wise turn away anger.

⁹If a wise person goes to court with a fool,

there will be ranting and raving but no resolution.^Aad

¹⁰Bloodthirsty men hate an honest person,^ae

but the upright care about him.^B

¹¹A fool gives full vent to his anger,^Caf

but a wise person holds it in check.^ag

¹²If a ruler listens to lies,^ah

all his officials will be wicked.

¹³The poor and the oppressor have this in common:^D

the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.^ai

¹⁴A king who judges the poor with fairness—

his throne will be established forever.^a

¹⁵A rod of correction imparts wisdom,^b

but a youth left to himself^E

is a disgrace to his mother.^c

¹⁶When the wicked increase, rebellion increases,

but the righteous will see their downfall.^d

¹⁷Discipline your child,^e and it will bring you peace of mind

and give you delight.

¹⁸Without revelation^Ff people run wild,^g

but one who follows divine instruction will be happy.^h

¹⁹A servant cannot be disciplined by words;

though he understands, he doesn’t respond.ⁱ

²⁰Do you see someone who speaks too soon?^j

There is more hope for a fool than for him.^k

²¹A servant pampered from his youth

will become arrogant^G later on.

²²An angry person stirs up conflict,

and a hot-tempered one^H increases rebellion.^l

²³A person’s pride will humble him,^m

but a humble spirit will gain honor.ⁿ

²⁴To be a thief’s partner is to hate oneself;

he hears the curse but will not testify.^o

²⁵The fear of mankind is a snare,^p

but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected.^Iq

²⁶Many desire a ruler’s favor,^r

but a person receives justice from the Lord.^s

²⁷An unjust person is detestable to the righteous,

and one whose way is upright

is detestable to the wicked.^t