Proverbs 28

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

2When a land rebels, it has many rulers, but through a person of understanding and knowledge, its stability endures.

3A poor person who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.

4Those who abandon the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law fight against them.

5Evil people do not understand justice, but those who seek Yahweh understand everything.

6Better a poor person who walks in integrity than a rich one whose ways are crooked.

7Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.

8Whoever increases his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for one who is kind to the poor.

9Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law—even his prayer is detestable.

10Whoever leads the upright astray on an evil path will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit good.

11A rich person is wise in his own eyes, but a poor person who has understanding sees through him.

12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise up, people go into hiding.

13Whoever conceals his offenses will not prosper, but whoever confesses and gives them up will find mercy.

14Blessed is the person who is always in awe, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into trouble.

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

16A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, but whoever hates dishonest gain will live long.

17A person weighed down with the blood of another will flee to the pit; let no one hold him back.

18Whoever walks blamelessly will be kept safe, but whoever is crooked in his ways will fall all at once.

19Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but whoever chases worthless things will have plenty of poverty.

20A faithful person will have many blessings, but whoever hurries to get rich will not go unpunished.

21Showing partiality is not good, yet for a piece of bread a person will do wrong.

22A stingy person rushes after wealth and does not know that want will come upon him.

23Whoever rebukes a person will in the end find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.

24Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “It is no offense,” is a companion to one who destroys.

25A greedy person stirs up conflict, but whoever trusts in Yahweh will prosper.

26Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks in wisdom will be kept safe.

27Whoever gives to the poor will not lack, but whoever shuts his eyes to them will receive many curses.

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