Proverbs 28:1–14

1  A wicked person flees when no one is chasing him, 

but righteous people are as bold as lions. 

2  When a country is in revolt, it has many rulers, 

but only with a person who has understanding and knowledge 

will it last a long time. 

3  A poor person who oppresses poorer people 

is like a driving rain that leaves no food. 

4  Those who abandon ⸤God’s⸥ teachings praise wicked people, 

but those who follow ⸤God’s⸥ teachings oppose wicked people. 

5  Evil people do not understand justice, 

but those who seek the Lord understand everything. 

6  Better to be a poor person who has integrity 

than to be rich and double-dealing. 

7  Whoever follows ⸤God’s⸥ teachings is a wise son. 

Whoever associates with gluttons disgraces his father. 

8  Whoever becomes wealthy through ⸤unfair⸥ loans and interest 

collects them for the one who is kind to the poor. 

9  Surely the prayer of someone who refuses 

to listen to ⸤God’s⸥ teachings is disgusting. 

10  Whoever leads decent people into evil will fall into his own pit, 

but innocent people will inherit good things. 

11  A rich person is wise in his own eyes, 

but a poor person with understanding sees right through him. 

12  When righteous people triumph, there is great glory, 

but when wicked people rise, people hide themselves. 

13  Whoever covers over his sins does not prosper. 

Whoever confesses and abandons them receives compassion. 

14  Blessed is the one who is always fearful ⸤of sin⸥, 

but whoever is hard-hearted falls into disaster.