Proverbs 28

28Evil people run even though no one is chasing them,

but good people are as brave as a lion.

²When a country is lawless, it has one ruler after another;

but when it is led by a leader with understanding and knowledge, it continues strong.

³Rulers who mistreat the poor

are like a hard rain that destroys the crops.

⁴Those who disobey what they have been taught praise the wicked,

but those who obey what they have been taught are against them.

⁵Evil people do not understand justice,

but those who follow the Lord understand it completely.

⁶It is better to be poor and innocent

than to be rich and wicked.

⁷Children who obey what they have been taught are wise,

but friends of troublemakers disgrace their parents.

⁸Some people get rich by overcharging others,

but their wealth will be given to those who are kind to the poor.

⁹If you refuse to obey what you have been taught,

your prayers will not be heard.

¹⁰Those who lead good people to do wrong

will be ruined by their own evil,

but the innocent will be rewarded with good things.

¹¹Rich people may think they are wise,

but the poor with understanding will prove them wrong.

¹²When good people triumph, there is great happiness,

but when the wicked get control, everybody hides.

¹³If you hide your sins, you will not succeed.

If you confess and reject them, you will receive mercy.

¹⁴Those who are always respectful will be happy,

but those who are stubborn will get into trouble.

¹⁵A wicked ruler is as dangerous to poor people

as a roaring lion or a charging bear.

¹⁶A ruler without wisdom will be cruel,

but the one who refuses to take dishonest money will rule a long time.

¹⁷Don’t help those who are guilty of murder;

let them run until they die.

¹⁸Innocent people will be kept safe,

but those who are dishonest will suddenly be ruined.

¹⁹Those who work their land will have plenty of food,

but the ones who chase empty dreams instead will end up poor.

²⁰A truthful person will have many blessings,

but those eager to get rich will be punished.

²¹It is not good for a judge to take sides,

but some will sin for only a piece of bread.

²²Selfish people are in a hurry to get rich

and do not realize they soon will be poor.

²³Those who correct others will later be liked

more than those who give false praise.

²⁴Whoever robs father or mother

and says, “It’s not wrong,”

is just like someone who destroys things.

²⁵A greedy person causes trouble,

but the one who trusts the Lord will succeed.

²⁶Those who trust in themselves are foolish,

but those who live wisely will be kept safe.

²⁷Whoever gives to the poor will have everything he needs,

but the one who ignores the poor will receive many curses.

²⁸When the wicked get control, everybody hides,

but when they die, good people do well.