Proverbs 28

¹The wicked flee when no one pursues , but the righteous are bold as a lion .

²When a land transgresses , it has many rulers , but with a man of understanding and knowledge , its stability will long continue .

³A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food .

⁴Those who forsake the law praise the wicked , but those who keep the law strive against them.

⁵Evil men do not understand justice , but those who seek the Lord understand it completely .

⁶Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways .

⁷The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding , but a companion of gluttons shames his father .

⁸Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

²²A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.

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

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

²⁵A greedy man stirs up strife , but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched .

²⁶Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool , but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered .

²⁷Whoever gives to the poor will not want , but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse .

²⁸When the wicked rise , people hide themselves , but when they perish , the righteous increase .