Proverbs 28 - Modern English Version

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

² When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, the state thereof will be prolonged.

³ A poor man who oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaves no crops.

⁴ Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law contend with them.

⁵ Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

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

⁷ He who keeps the law is a wise son, but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.

⁸ He who increases his wealth by usury and extortion gathers it for him who has pity on the poor.

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

¹⁰ Whoever causes the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he himself will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit good.

¹¹ The rich man is wise in his own eyes, but the poor man who has understanding sees through him.

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

¹³ He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find mercy.

¹⁴ Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

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

¹⁶ A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, but he who hates ill-gotten gain will prolong his days.

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

¹⁸ He who walks blamelessly will be saved, but he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.

¹⁹ He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who chases empty pursuits will have poverty enough.

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

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

²² He who hastens to be rich has an evil eye, and does not consider that poverty will come upon him.

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

²⁴ He who robs his father or his mother and says, “It is no transgression,” is a companion to a destroyer.

²⁵ He who is greedy stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will prosper.

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

²⁷ He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.

²⁸ When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.