Proverbs 28:8-18

8 Whoever multiplies his wealth ¹by interest and profit^{[a] 2}gathers it for him who is ³generous to the poor.

9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his ⁴prayer is an abomination.

10 Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way ⁵will fall into his own pit, but the blameless ⁶will have a goodly inheritance.

11 A rich man is wise in his ⁷own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding ⁸will find him out.

12 When ⁹the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when ¹⁰the wicked rise, people hide themselves.

13 Whoever ¹¹conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who ¹²confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

14 Blessed is the one who ¹³fears the LORD always, but whoever ¹⁴hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

15 Like ¹⁵a roaring lion or ¹⁶a charging bear is ¹⁷a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16 A ruler who ¹⁸lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

17 If one is burdened with ¹⁹the blood of another, he will be a fugitive until death;^[b] let no one help him.

18 ²⁰Whoever ²¹walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.

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

Footnotes

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