Proverbs 28 (New American Standard)

Warnings and Instructions

1 The wicked ¹flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are ^abold as a lion. 2 By the transgression of a land ²many are its princes, But ³by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures. 3 A ⁴poor man who oppresses the lowly Is like a driving rain ^bwhich leaves no food. 4 Those who forsake the law ⁵praise the wicked, But those who keep the law ⁶strive with them. 5 Evil men ⁷do not understand justice, But those who seek the LORD ⁸understand all things. 6 ⁹Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than he who is ^ccrooked though he be rich. 7 He who keeps the law is a discerning son, But he who is a companion of ¹⁰gluttons humiliates his father. 8 He who increases his wealth by ¹¹interest and usury Gathers it ¹²for him who is gracious to the poor. 9 He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, Even his ¹³prayer is an abomination. 10 He who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will ¹⁴himself fall into his own pit, But the ¹⁵blameless will inherit good. 11 The rich man is ¹⁶wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding ^dsees through him. 12 When the ¹⁷righteous triumph, there is great glory, But ¹⁸when the wicked rise, men ^ehide themselves. 13 He who ¹⁹conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who ²⁰confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. 14 How blessed is the man who ²¹fears always, But he who ²²hardens his heart will fall into calamity. 15 Like a ²³roaring lion and a rushing bear Is a ²⁴wicked ruler over a poor people. 16 A ²⁵leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. 17 A man who is ²⁶laden with the guilt of human blood Will ^fbe a fugitive until death ; let no one support him. 18 He who walks blamelessly will be delivered, But he who is ^g27crooked will fall all at once. 19 ²⁸He who tills his land will ²⁹have plenty of food, But he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty. 20 A ³⁰faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who ³¹makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished. 21 To ^h32show partiality is not good, ³³Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. 22 A man with an ³⁴evil eye ³⁵hastens after wealth And does not know that want will come upon him. 23 He who ³⁶rebukes a man will afterward find more favor Than he who ³⁷flatters with the tongue. 24 He who ³⁸robs his father or his mother And says, "It is not a transgression," Is the ³⁹companion of a man who destroys. 25 An ⁱarrogant man ⁴⁰stirs up strife, But he who ⁴¹trusts in the LORD ⁴²will ^jprosper. 26 He who ⁴³trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered. 27 He who ⁴⁴gives to the poor will never want, But he who ^kshuts his eyes will have many curses. 28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.