Proverbs 28:14-24

14 Blessed is the one who ¹fears the LORD always, but whoever ²hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

15 Like ³a roaring lion or ⁴a charging bear is ⁵a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16 A ruler who ⁶lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

17 If one is burdened with ⁷the blood of another, he will be a fugitive until death;^[a] let no one help him.

18 ⁸Whoever ⁹walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.

19 ¹⁰Whoever 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 ¹¹will not go unpunished.

21 To show ¹²partiality is not good, but for ¹³a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

22 A ¹⁴stingy man^[b]15hastens after wealth and does not know that ¹⁶poverty will come upon him.

23 Whoever ¹⁷rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than ¹⁸he who flatters with his tongue.

24 Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, "That is no transgression," is ¹⁹a companion to a man who destroys.

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

Footnotes

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