Proverbs 28:13-23

13 Whoever ¹conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who ²confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

14 Blessed is the one who ³fears the LORD always, but whoever ⁴hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

15 Like ⁵a roaring lion or ⁶a charging bear is ⁷a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16 A ruler who ⁸lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

17 If one is burdened with ⁹the blood of another, he will be a fugitive until death;^[a] let no one help him.

18 ¹⁰Whoever ¹¹walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.

19 ¹²Whoever 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 ¹³will not go unpunished.

21 To show ¹⁴partiality is not good, but for ¹⁵a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

22 A ¹⁶stingy man^[b]17hastens after wealth and does not know that ¹⁸poverty will come upon him.

23 Whoever ¹⁹rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than ²⁰he who flatters with his tongue.

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

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew until the pit
• [b]. Hebrew A man whose eye is evil