Proverbs 28:11-21

11 A rich man is wise in his ¹own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding ²will find him out.

12 When ³the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when ⁴the wicked rise, people hide themselves.

13 Whoever ⁵conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who ⁶confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

14 Blessed is the one who ⁷fears the LORD always, but whoever ⁸hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

15 Like ⁹a roaring lion or ¹⁰a charging bear is ¹¹a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16 A ruler who ¹²lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

17 If one is burdened with ¹³the blood of another, he will be a fugitive until death;^[a] let no one help him.

18 ¹⁴Whoever ¹⁵walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.

19 ¹⁶Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich ¹⁷will not go unpunished.

21 To show ¹⁸partiality is not good, but for ¹⁹a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

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

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew until the pit