Proverbs 28:7-17

7 The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but 1a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 Whoever multiplies his wealth 2by interest and profit[a] 3gathers it for him who is 4generous to the poor.
9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his 5prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way 6will fall into his own pit, but the blameless 7will have a goodly inheritance.
11 A rich man is wise in his 8own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding 9will find him out.
12 When 10the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when 11the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
13 Whoever 12conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who 13confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14 Blessed is the one who 14fears the LORD always, but whoever 15hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15 Like 16a roaring lion or 17a charging bear is 18a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler who 19lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 If one is burdened with 20the blood of another, he will be a fugitive until death;[b] let no one help him.

Cross References 20

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

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor
  • [b]. Hebrew until the pit
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.