Proverbs 28–29

The wicked flee^u though no one pursues,^v

but the righteous are as bold as a lion.^w

When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,

but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.

A ruler who oppresses the poor

is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,

but those who heed it resist them.

Evildoers do not understand what is right,

but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

Better the poor whose walk is blameless

than the rich whose ways are perverse.^x

Those who heed instruction are discerning children,

but companions of gluttons disgrace their parents.^y

Whoever increases wealth by taking interest^z or profit from the poor

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

If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,

even their prayers are detestable.^c

Those who lead the upright along an evil path

will fall into their own trap,^d

but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

The rich are wise in their own eyes;

one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;^e

but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.^f

Those who conceal their sins^g do not prosper,

but those who confess^h and renounce them find mercy.ⁱ

Blessed are those who always tremble before God,

but those who harden their hearts fall into trouble.

Like a roaring lion or a charging bear

is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

A tyrannical ruler practices extortion,

but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.

Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder

will seek refuge^j in the grave;

let no one hold them back.

Those whose walk is blameless are kept safe,^k

but those whose ways are perverse will fall^l into the pit.

Those who work their land will have abundant food,

but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.^m

A faithful person will be richly blessed,

but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.ⁿ

To show partiality^o is not good^p—

yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.^q

The stingy are eager to get rich

and are unaware that poverty awaits them.^r

Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor

rather than one who has a flattering tongue.^s

Whoever robs their father or mother^t

and says, “It’s not wrong,”

is partner to one who destroys.^u

The greedy stir up dissension,^v

but those who trust in the Lord^w will prosper.

Those who trust in themselves are fools,^x

but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.^y

Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,^z

but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.^a

When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;^b

but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

Whoever remains stiff-necked^c after many rebukes

will suddenly be destroyed^d—without remedy.^e

When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;^f

when the wicked rule,^g the people groan.^h

A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,ⁱ

but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.^j

By justice a king gives a country stability,^k

but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.

Those who flatter their neighbors

are spreading nets for their feet.^l

Evildoers are snared by their own sin,^m

but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

The righteous care about justice for the poor,ⁿ

but the wicked have no such concern.

Mockers stir up a city,

but the wise turn away anger.^o

If a wise person goes to court with a fool,

the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.

The bloodthirsty hate people of integrity

and seek to kill the upright.^p

Fools give full vent to their rage,^q

but the wise bring calm in the end.^r

If a ruler^s listens to lies,

all his officials become wicked.^t

The poor and the oppressor have this in common:

The Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.^u

If a king judges the poor with fairness,

his throne will be established forever.^v

A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,

but children left to themselves disgrace their mother.^w

When the wicked thrive, so does sin,

but the righteous will see their downfall.^x

Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;

they will bring you the delights you desire.^y

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;

but blessed are those who heed wisdom’s instruction.^z

Servants cannot be corrected by mere words;

though they understand, they will not respond.

Do you see someone who speaks in haste?

There is more hope for a fool than for them.^a

A servant pampered from youth

will turn out to be insolent.

An angry person stirs up dissension,

and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.^b

Pride brings a person low,^c

but the lowly in spirit gain honor.^d

The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies;

they are put under oath and dare not testify.^e

To fear^f anyone will prove to be a snare,

but whoever trusts in the Lord^g is kept safe.^h

Many seek an audience with a ruler,ⁱ

but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.^j

The righteous detest the dishonest;

the wicked detest the upright.^k