Proverbs, 28

1. The wicked flees when no one is pursuing, the upright is bold as a lion.

1. The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

2. A country in revolt throws up many leaders: with one person wise and experienced, you have stability.

2. For the transgression of a land many [are] the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding [and] knowledge the state [thereof] shall be prolonged.

3. The wicked oppresses the weak: here is a devastating rain -- and farewell, bread!

3. A poor man that oppresseth the poor [is like] a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

4. Those who forsake the law sing the praises of the wicked, those who observe the law are angered by them.

4. They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

5. The wicked do not know what justice means, those who seek Yahweh understand everything.

5. Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all [things].

6. Better someone poor living an honest life than someone of devious ways however rich.

6. Better [is] the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than [he that is] perverse [in his] ways, though he [be] rich.

7. An intelligent child is one who keeps the Law; an associate of profligates brings shame on his father.

7. Whoso keepeth the law [is] a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous [men] shameth his father.

8. Whoever increases wealth by usury and interest amasses it for someone else who will bestow it on the poor.

8. He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

9. Whoever refuses to listen to the Law, such a one's very prayer is an abomination.

9. He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer [shall be] abomination.

10. Whoever seduces the honest to evil ways will fall into his own pit. The blameless are the heirs to happiness.

10. Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good [things] in possession.

11. The rich may think himself wise, but the intelligent poor will unmask him.

11. The rich man [is] wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

12. When the upright triumph, there is great exultation: when the wicked are in the ascendant, people take cover.

12. When righteous [men] do rejoice, [there is] great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

13. No one who conceals his sins will prosper, whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

13. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.

14. Blessed the person who is never without fear, whoever hardens his heart will fall into distress.

14. Happy [is] the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

15. Like a roaring lion or a springing bear is a wicked ruler of a powerless people.

15. [As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; [so is] a wicked ruler over the poor people.

16. An unenlightened ruler is rich in rapacity, one who hates greed will lengthen his days.

16. The prince that wanteth understanding [is] also a great oppressor: [but] he that hateth covetousness shall prolong [his] days.

17. A man guilty of murder will flee till he reaches his tomb: let no one halt him!

17. A man that doeth violence to the blood of [any] person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

18. Whoever lives an honest life will be safe, whoever wavers between two ways falls down in one of them.

18. Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but [he that is] perverse [in his] ways shall fall at once.

19. Whoever works his land shall have bread and to spare, but no one who chases fantasies has any sense.

19. He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain [persons] shall have poverty enough.

20. A trustworthy person will be overwhelmed with blessings, but no one who tries to get rich quickly will go unpunished.

20. A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

21. It is not good to show partiality, but people will do wrong for a mouthful of bread.

21. To have respect of persons [is] not good: for for a piece of bread [that] man will transgress.

22. The person of greedy eye chases after wealth, not knowing that want will be the result.

22. He that hasteth to be rich [hath] an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

23. Anyone who reproves another will enjoy more favour in the end than the flatterer.

23. He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

24. Whoever robs father and mother saying, 'Nothing wrong in that!' is comrade for a brigand.

24. Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, [It is] no transgression; the same [is] the companion of a destroyer.

25. The covetous provokes disputes, whoever trusts in Yahweh will prosper.

25. He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

26. Whoever trusts his own wit is a fool, anyone whose ways are wise will be safe.

26. He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

27. No one who gives to the poor will ever go short, but whoever closes his eyes will have curses in plenty.

27. He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

28. When the wicked are in the ascendant, people take cover, but when they perish, the upright multiply.

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