Proverbs, 28

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

1. The wicked flee when no one pursues, 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. When a land transgresses it has many rulers; but with men of understanding and knowledge its stability will long continue.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. He who augments his wealth by interest and increase gathers it for him who is kind to the poor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

14. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD always; but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

18. He who walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is perverse in his ways will fall into a pit.

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

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

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

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

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

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

22. A miserly man hastens after wealth, and does not know that want will come upon him.

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

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

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

24. He who robs his father or his mother and says, "That is no transgression," is the companion of a man who destroys.

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

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

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

26. He who trusts in his own mind is a fool; but he who walks in wisdom will 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 who gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get 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.