Proverbs 28–29

28The wicked run when no one is chasing them, but an honest person is as brave as a lion.

²When a nation sins, it will have one ruler after another. But a nation will be strong and endure when it has intelligent, sensible leaders.

³Someone in authority who oppresses poor people is like a driving rain that destroys the crops.

⁴If you have no regard for the law, you are on the side of the wicked; but if you obey it, you are against them.

⁵Evil people do not know what justice is, but those who worship the Lord understand it well.

⁶Better to be poor and honest than rich and dishonest.

⁷A young man who obeys the law is intelligent. One who makes friends with good-for-nothings is a disgrace to his father.

⁸If you get rich by charging interest and taking advantage of people, your wealth will go to someone who is kind to the poor.

⁹If you do not obey the law, God will find your prayers too hateful to hear.

¹⁰If you trick an honest person into doing evil, you will fall into your own trap.

The innocent will be well rewarded.

¹¹Rich people always think they are wise, but a poor person who has insight into character knows better.

¹²When good people come to power, everybody celebrates, but when bad people rule, people stay in hiding.

¹³You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you.

¹⁴Always obey the Lord and you will be happy. If you are stubborn, you will be ruined.

¹⁵Poor people are helpless against a wicked ruler; he is as dangerous as a growling lion or a prowling bear.

¹⁶A ruler without good sense will be a cruel tyrant. One who hates dishonesty will rule a long time.

¹⁷Someone guilty of murder is digging his own grave as fast as he can. Don’t try to stop him.

¹⁸Be honest and you will be safe. If you are dishonest, you will suddenly fall.

¹⁹A hard-working farmer has plenty to eat. People who waste time will always be poor.

²⁰Honest people will lead a full, happy life. But if you are in a hurry to get rich, you are going to be punished.

²¹Prejudice is wrong. But some judges will do wrong to get even the smallest bribe.

²²Selfish people are in such a hurry to get rich that they do not know when poverty is about to strike.

²³Correct someone, and afterwards he will appreciate it more than flattery.

²⁴Anyone who thinks it isn’t wrong to steal from his parents is no better than a common thief.

²⁵Selfishness only causes trouble. You are much better off to trust the Lord.

²⁶It is foolish to follow your own opinions. Be safe, and follow the teachings of wiser people.

²⁷Give to the poor and you will never be in need. If you close your eyes to the poor, many people will curse you.

²⁸People stay in hiding when the wicked come to power. But when they fall from power, the righteous will rule again.

29If you get more stubborn every time you are corrected, one day you will be crushed and never recover.

²Show me a righteous ruler and I will show you a happy people. Show me a wicked ruler and I will show you a miserable people.

³If you appreciate wisdom, your father will be proud of you.

It is a foolish waste to spend money on prostitutes.

⁴When the king is concerned with justice, the nation will be strong, but when he is only concerned with money, he will ruin his country.

⁵If you flatter your friends, you set a trap for yourself.^u

⁶Evil people are trapped in their own sins, while honest people are happy and free.

⁷A good person knows the rights of the poor, but wicked people cannot understand such things.

⁸People with no regard for others can throw whole cities into turmoil. Those who are wise keep things calm.

⁹When an intelligent person brings a lawsuit against a fool, the fool only laughs and becomes loud and abusive.

¹⁰Bloodthirsty people hate anyone who’s honest, but righteous people will protect^v the life of such a person.

¹¹Stupid people express their anger openly, but sensible people are patient and hold it back.

¹²If a ruler pays attention to false information, all his officials will be liars.

¹³A poor person and his oppressor have this in common—the Lord gave eyes to both of them.

¹⁴If a king defends the rights of the poor, he will rule for a long time.

¹⁵Correction and discipline are good for children. If they have their own way, they will make their mothers ashamed of them.

¹⁶When evil people are in power, crime increases. But the righteous will live to see the downfall of such people.

¹⁷Discipline your children and you can always be proud of them. They will never give you reason to be ashamed.

¹⁸A nation without God’s guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God’s law!

¹⁹You cannot correct servants just by talking to them. They may understand you, but they will pay no attention.

²⁰There is more hope for a stupid fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.

²¹If you give your servants everything they want from childhood on, some day they will take over everything you own.^w

²²People with quick tempers cause a lot of quarrelling and trouble.

²³Arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.

²⁴A thief’s partner is his own worst enemy. He will be punished if he tells the truth in court, and God will curse him if he doesn’t.

²⁵It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe.

²⁶Everybody wants the good will of the ruler, but only from the Lord can you get justice.

²⁷The righteous hate the wicked, and the wicked hate the righteous.