Proverbs 28:5–9

5 Evildoers do not understand what is right,

but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

6 Better the poor whose walk is blameless

than the rich whose ways are perverse.

7 A discerning son heeds instruction,

but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

8 Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor

amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.

9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,

even their prayers are detestable.

5 Evil men do not understand justice,

but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.

6 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity

than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.

7 The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,

but a companion of gluttons shames his father.

8 Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit

gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.

9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,

even his prayer is an abomination.

5 Evil men understand not judgment:

But they that seek the Lord understand all things.

6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness,

Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son:

But he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance,

He shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law,

Even his prayer shall be abomination.

5 Evil men do not understand justice,

But those who seek the Lord understand all.

6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity

Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

7 Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,

But a companion of gluttons shames his father.

8 One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion

Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.

9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,

Even his prayer is an abomination.

5 Evil people do not understand justice,

but those who follow the Lord understand it completely.

6 It is better to be poor and innocent

than to be rich and wicked.

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

but friends of troublemakers disgrace their parents.

8 Some people get rich by overcharging others,

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

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

your prayers will not be heard.

5 Evil men understand not justice;

But they that seek Jehovah understand all things.

6 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity,

Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son;

But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father.

8 He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase,

Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.

9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law,

Even his prayer is an abomination.

5 Evil men understand not judgment; but they that seek Jehovah understand everything.

6 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse, double in ways, though he be rich.

7 Whoso observeth the law is a son that hath understanding; but he that is a companion of profligates bringeth shame to his father.

8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance gathereth it for him that is gracious to the poor.

9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

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. 

5 Evil men do not understand justice,

but those who seek the Lord understand everything.

6 Better a poor man who lives with integrity

than a rich man who distorts right and wrong.

7 A discerning son keeps the law,

but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.

8 Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest

collects it for one who is kind to the poor.

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

even his prayer is detestable.

5 The evil do not understand justice,

but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.

6 Better to be poor and walk in integrity

than to be crooked in one’s ways even though rich.

7 Those who keep the law are wise children,

but companions of gluttons shame their parents.

8 One who augments wealth by exorbitant interest

gathers it for another who is kind to the poor.

9 When one will not listen to the law,

even one’s prayers are an abomination.

5 Men of evil do not understand justice,

but seekers of Yahweh understand completely.

6 Better to be poor and walking in one’s integrity

than to be crooked of ways when one is rich.

7 He who keeps instruction is a child of understanding,

but the companion of gluttons will shame his father.

8 He who augments his wealth with interest and with usury

gathers it for him who is kind to the poor.

9 He who turns his ear from listening to instruction,

even his prayer is an abomination.

5 Sinful men don’t understand what is fair.

But those who worship the Lord understand it completely.

6 It is better to be poor and live without blame

than to be rich and follow a crooked path.

7 A child who obeys the law understands what is right.

But a child who likes to eat too much brings shame on his father.

8 A person who increases his wealth by charging high interest

piles it up for someone who will be kind to poor people.

9 If you don’t pay attention to the law,

even your prayers are hated.

5 Evil men do not understand justice,

But those who seek the Lord understand all things.

6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity

Than he who is crooked though he be rich.

7 He who keeps the law is a discerning son,

But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.

8 He who increases his wealth by interest and usury

Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.

9 He who turns away his ear from listening to the law,

Even his prayer is an abomination.