Chapter
Verse

Proverbs chapter 28

English Standard Version

1 The 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. 3 A 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. 6 Better 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 whoever 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. 18 Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall. 19 Whoever 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 show 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.
New International Version

New American Standard Bible

1The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion. 2Due to a wrongdoing of a land its leaders are many, But by a person of understanding and knowledge, so it endures. 3A poor man who oppresses the helpless Is like a driving rain which leaves no food. 4Those who abandon the Law praise the wicked, But those who keep the Law strive against them. 5Evil people do not understand justice, But those who seek the Lord understand everything. 6Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity, Than a person who is crooked, though he is rich. 7He who keeps the Law is a discerning son, But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father. 8One who increases his wealth by interest of any kind, Collects it for one who is gracious to the poor. 9One who turns his ear away from listening to the Law, Even his prayer is an abomination. 10One who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit, But the blameless will inherit good. 11The rich person is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding sees through him. 12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, But when the wicked rise, people hide themselves. 13One who conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper, But one who confesses and abandons them will find compassion. 14How blessed is the person who fears always, But one who hardens his heart will fall into disaster. 15 Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people. 16A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, But a person who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. 17A person who is burdened with the guilt of human blood Will be a fugitive until death; no one is to support him! 18One who walks blamelessly will receive help, But one who is crooked will fall all at once. 19One who works his land will have plenty of food, But one who follows empty pursuits will have plenty of poverty. 20A faithful person will abound with blessings, But one who hurries to be rich will not go unpunished. 21To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will do wrong. 22A person with an evil eye hurries after wealth And does not know that poverty will come upon him. 23One who rebukes a person will afterward find more favor Than one who flatters with the tongue. 24He who robs his father or his mother And says, 'There is no wrong done,' Is the companion of a person who destroys. 25An arrogant person stirs up strife, But one who trusts in the Lord will prosper. 26One who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But one who walks wisely will flee to safety. 27One who gives to the poor will never lack anything, But one who shuts his eyes will have many curses. 28When the wicked rise, people hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.
Christian Standard Bible

New Living Translation

King James Version

New King James Version

1The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion. 2Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes; But by a man of understanding and knowledge Right will be prolonged. 3 A poor man who oppresses the poor Is like a driving rain which leaves no food. 4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But such as keep the law contend with them. 5 Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the Lord understand all. 6Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich. 7Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, But a companion of gluttons shames his father. 8One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion Gathers it for him who will pity the poor. 9One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. 10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, He himself will fall into his own pit; But the blameless will inherit good. 11The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding searches him out. 12When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory; But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves. 13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. 14Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. 15 Like a roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over poor people. 16A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days. 17 A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; Let no one help him. 18Whoever 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 follows frivolity will have poverty enough! 20A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. 21 To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. 22A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon him. 23 He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue. 24Whoever robs his father or his mother, And says, “ It is no transgression,” The same is companion to a destroyer. 25 He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered. 26He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered. 27 He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses. 28When the wicked arise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.

What does Proverbs chapter 28 mean?

Chapter 28 continues a long list of sayings credited to king Solomon (Proverbs 25:1). This chapter includes many direct contrasts. It also makes several references to rulers and leaders.

The passage starts with instructions about righteousness, justice, honesty, and reputation. A guilty conscience can lead to guilty actions, while a clear conscience leads to confidence. As stated in other proverbs, moral integrity is worth far more than material wealth. Solomon also warns that those who routinely ignore God actually anger Him when they attempt to pray, as if He is obligated to give them their wishes (Proverbs 28:1–12).

Other lessons mention the impact of ungodly rulers, and the mutual relationship between chaotic leadership and cultural sin. Wicked governments inspire fear and hiding; when those evil people are destroyed, the nation celebrates and goodness begins to grow. Other statements rephrase prior lessons about the dangers of greed and how chasing material wealth usually leads to dire consequences (Proverbs 28:13–28).
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