Proverbs 28–29

Chapter 28

¹The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,

but the godly are as bold as lions.

²When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.

But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.

³A poor person who oppresses the poor

is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.

⁴To reject the law is to praise the wicked;

to obey the law is to fight them.

⁵Evil people don’t understand justice,

but those who follow the Lord understand completely.

⁶Better to be poor and honest

than to be dishonest and rich.

⁷Young people who obey the law are wise;

those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.

⁸Income from charging high interest rates

will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.

⁹God detests the prayers

of a person who ignores the law.

¹⁰Those who lead good people along an evil path

will fall into their own trap,

but the honest will inherit good things.

¹¹Rich people may think they are wise,

but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.

¹²When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.

When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.

¹³People who conceal their sins will not prosper,

but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

¹⁴Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,

but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.

¹⁵A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor

as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.

¹⁶A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people,

but one who hates corruption will have a long life.

¹⁷A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave.

Don’t protect him!

¹⁸The blameless will be rescued from harm,

but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed.

¹⁹A hard worker has plenty of food,

but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.

²⁰The trustworthy person will get a rich reward,

but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.

²¹Showing partiality is never good,

yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.

²²Greedy people try to get rich quick

but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.

²³In the end, people appreciate honest criticism

far more than flattery.

²⁴Anyone who steals from his father and mother

and says, “What’s wrong with that?”

is no better than a murderer.

²⁵Greed causes fighting;

trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.

²⁶Those who trust their own insight are foolish,

but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.

²⁷Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,

but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.

²⁸When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.

When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish.

Chapter 29

¹Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism

will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.

²When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice.

But when the wicked are in power, they groan.

³The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,

but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted.

⁴A just king gives stability to his nation,

but one who demands bribes destroys it.

⁵To flatter friends

is to lay a trap for their feet.

⁶Evil people are trapped by sin,

but the righteous escape, shouting for joy.

⁷The godly care about the rights of the poor;

the wicked don’t care at all.

⁸Mockers can get a whole town agitated,

but the wise will calm anger.

⁹If a wise person takes a fool to court,

there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction.

¹⁰The bloodthirsty hate blameless people,

but the upright seek to help them.

¹¹Fools vent their anger,

but the wise quietly hold it back.

¹²If a ruler pays attention to liars,

all his advisers will be wicked.

¹³The poor and the oppressor have this in common—

the Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.

¹⁴If a king judges the poor fairly,

his throne will last forever.

¹⁵To discipline a child produces wisdom,

but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.

¹⁶When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes,

but the godly will live to see their downfall.

¹⁷Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind

and will make your heart glad.

¹⁸When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.

But whoever obeys the law is joyful.

¹⁹Words alone will not discipline a servant;

the words may be understood, but they are not heeded.

²⁰There is more hope for a fool

than for someone who speaks without thinking.

²¹A servant pampered from childhood

will become a rebel.

²²An angry person starts fights;

a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.

²³Pride ends in humiliation,

while humility brings honor.

²⁴If you assist a thief, you only hurt yourself.

You are sworn to tell the truth, but you dare not testify.

²⁵Fearing people is a dangerous trap,

but trusting the Lord means safety.

²⁶Many seek the ruler’s favor,

but justice comes from the Lord.

²⁷The righteous despise the unjust;

the wicked despise the godly.