Proverbs 28:1-28 (New International Version)

1 The wicked man flees¹ though no one pursues,² but the righteous are as bold as a lion.³ 2 When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order. 3 A ruler^a who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops. 4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them. 5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully. 6 Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse.⁴ 7 He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.⁵ 8 He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest⁶ amasses it for another,⁷ who will be kind to the poor.⁸ 9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.⁹ 10 He who leads the upright along an evil path will fall into his own trap,¹⁰ but the blameless will receive a good inheritance. 11 A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him. 12 When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;¹¹ but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding.¹² 13 He who conceals his sins¹³ does not prosper, but whoever confesses¹⁴ and renounces them finds mercy.¹⁵ 14 Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. 15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people. 16 A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment, but he who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long life. 17 A man tormented by the guilt of murder will be a fugitive¹⁶ till death; let no one support him. 18 He whose walk is blameless is kept safe,¹⁷ but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall.¹⁸ 19 He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.¹⁹ 20 A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.²⁰ 21 To show partiality²¹ is not good²²-- yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.²³ 22 A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him.²⁴ 23 He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue.²⁵ 24 He who robs his father or mother²⁶ and says, "It's not wrong"-- he is partner to him who destroys.²⁷ 25 A greedy man stirs up dissension,²⁸ but he who trusts in the LORD²⁹ will prosper. 26 He who trusts in himself is a fool,³⁰ but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.³¹ 27 He who gives to the poor will lack nothing,³² but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.³³ 28 When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;³⁴ but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.