Proverbs 28:6-16

6 ¹Better is a poor man who ²walks in his integrity than a rich man who is ³crooked in his ways.

7 The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but ⁴a companion of gluttons shames his father.

8 Whoever multiplies his wealth ⁵by interest and profit^{[a] 6}gathers it for him who is ⁷generous to the poor.

9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his ⁸prayer is an abomination.

10 Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way ⁹will fall into his own pit, but the blameless ¹⁰will have a goodly inheritance.

11 A rich man is wise in his ¹¹own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding ¹²will find him out.

12 When ¹³the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when ¹⁴the wicked rise, people hide themselves.

13 Whoever ¹⁵conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who ¹⁶confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

14 Blessed is the one who ¹⁷fears the LORD always, but whoever ¹⁸hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

15 Like ¹⁹a roaring lion or ²⁰a charging bear is ²¹a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16 A ruler who ²²lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

Proverbs 28:6-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 15

In this chapter we have a short history of the reign of Abijam, 1Ki 15:1-8 and of Asa, 1Ki 14:9-24, both kings of Judah; and of the reigns of Nadab the son of Jeroboam, and of Baasha, who destroyed his family, both kings of Israel, 1Ki 15:25-34.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 19:1
• 2. ver. 18
• 3. ver. 18
• 4. [Proverbs 23:20; Proverbs 29:3]
• 5. Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:36
• 6. See Job 27:17
• 7. Proverbs 14:31
• 8. [Psalms 109:7]; See Proverbs 15:8
• 9. See Psalms 7:15
• 10. [Matthew 6:33]
• 11. Proverbs 26:5, 16
• 12. Job 13:9
• 13. Proverbs 11:10
• 14. ver. 28; [Proverbs 29:2; Ecclesiastes 10:5, 6]
• 15. [Job 31:33; Psalms 32:3]; See 1 John 1:8-10
• 16. Psalms 32:5; 1 John 1:9
• 17. Proverbs 23:17; Isaiah 66:2; Philippians 2:12
• 18. See Psalms 95:8
• 19. Proverbs 19:12; 1 Peter 5:8
• 20. [2 Kings 2:24]
• 21. [Ex. 1:14, 16, 22; Matthew 2:16]
• 22. See Proverbs 6:32

Footnotes

• [a]. That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor