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Proverbs 28

The wicked run when nobody is chasing them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. When a land rebels it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge its stability lasts. A poor man who oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain that leaves no food. Those who abandon the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the la

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The wicked run

The wicked run when nobody is chasing them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. When a land rebels it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge its stability lasts. A poor man who oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain that leaves no food. Those who abandon the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law contend with them. Evil men don't understand judgment, but those who seek the LORD understand all things. Better is a poor man who walks in integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse. Whoever keeps the law is a wise son, but a companion of riotous men shames his father. Whoever grows rich through interest and unjust gain gathers it for someone who will have pity on the poor. Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law—even his prayer is a disgusting thing. Whoever leads the upright astray into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the upright will inherit good things. A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with understanding searches him out. When the righteous rejoice there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves. Whoever covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will find mercy. Blessed is the man who always fears, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into trouble.

The wicked run when nobody chases them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. Because of the rebelling of a land, plenty of its leaders. But by a man of understanding and knowledge its state will last. A poor man who crushes the poor is like a sweeping rain that leaves no food. The ones who leave the teaching praise the wicked, but the ones who keep the teaching fight against them. Evil men don't understand judgment, but the ones who look for the Lord understand everything. Better the poor man who walks in his wholeness, than the one who's twisted in his ways, though he's rich. Whoever keeps the teaching is a wise son, but the mate of greedy men shames his father. The one who makes his wealth greater by interest and unjust gain gathers it for the one who'll have pity on the poor. The one who turns his ear away from hearing the teaching — even his prayer will be disgusting. Whoever leads the upright astray into an evil way will fall into his own pit himself. But the whole ones will have good things. A rich man is wise in his own thinking, but the poor man who has understanding searches him out. When righteous men celebrate, there's great glory. But when the wicked get up, a man is hidden. The one who covers his sins won't do well, but whoever owns up to them and leaves them will get mercy. Happy is the man who's always afraid, but the one who hardens his heart will fall into trouble.

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. 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. A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father. He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. 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. The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

1

The wicked run when nobody is chasing them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Plain English

The wicked run when nobody chases them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

King James Version, 1611

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

2

When a land rebels it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge its stability lasts.

Plain English

Because of the rebelling of a land, plenty of its leaders. But by a man of understanding and knowledge its state will last.

King James Version, 1611

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

A poor man who oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain that leaves no food.

Plain English

A poor man who crushes the poor is like a sweeping rain that leaves no food.

King James Version, 1611

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

4

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

Plain English

The ones who leave the teaching praise the wicked, but the ones who keep the teaching fight against them.

King James Version, 1611

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

5

Evil men don't understand judgment, but those who seek the LORD understand all things.

Plain English

Evil men don't understand judgment, but the ones who look for the Lord understand everything.

King James Version, 1611

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

6

Better is a poor man who walks in integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.

Plain English

Better the poor man who walks in his wholeness, than the one who's twisted in his ways, though he's rich.

King James Version, 1611

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

7

Whoever keeps the law is a wise son, but a companion of riotous men shames his father.

Plain English

Whoever keeps the teaching is a wise son, but the mate of greedy men shames his father.

King James Version, 1611

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

8

Whoever grows rich through interest and unjust gain gathers it for someone who will have pity on the poor.

Plain English

The one who makes his wealth greater by interest and unjust gain gathers it for the one who'll have pity on the poor.

King James Version, 1611

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

9

Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law—even his prayer is a disgusting thing.

Plain English

The one who turns his ear away from hearing the teaching — even his prayer will be disgusting.

King James Version, 1611

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

10

Whoever leads the upright astray into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the upright will inherit good things.

Plain English

Whoever leads the upright astray into an evil way will fall into his own pit himself. But the whole ones will have good things.

King James Version, 1611

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

A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with understanding searches him out.

Plain English

A rich man is wise in his own thinking, but the poor man who has understanding searches him out.

King James Version, 1611

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

12

When the righteous rejoice there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.

Plain English

When righteous men celebrate, there's great glory. But when the wicked get up, a man is hidden.

King James Version, 1611

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

13

Whoever covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will find mercy.

Plain English

The one who covers his sins won't do well, but whoever owns up to them and leaves them will get mercy.

King James Version, 1611

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

14

Blessed is the man who always fears, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into trouble.

Plain English

Happy is the man who's always afraid, but the one who hardens his heart will fall into trouble.

King James Version, 1611

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

Owning up

A wicked ruler over poor people is like a roaring lion and a ranging bear. A prince who lacks understanding is also a great oppressor, but whoever hates greed will prolong his days. A man burdened with the blood of another will flee to the pit; don't stop him. Whoever walks uprightly will be saved, but whoever is perverse in his ways will fall suddenly. Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but whoever follows vain people will have his fill of poverty. A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever rushes to be rich won't escape punishment. Showing partiality is not good; for a piece of bread a man will transgress. A man with an evil eye rushes after riches and doesn't realise poverty is coming for him. Whoever rebukes a man will afterwards find more favour than one who flatters with his tongue. Whoever robs his father or mother and says, ‘That's no sin,’ is the companion of a destroyer. The proud in heart stir up conflict, but whoever trusts in the LORD will prosper. Whoever trusts his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered. Whoever gives to the poor won't lack, but whoever hides his eyes will have many curses. When the wicked rise, people hide; when they perish, the righteous increase.

Like a roaring lion and a wandering bear, that's what a wicked ruler is over poor people. A leader with no understanding is a great oppressor too, but the one who hates greed will make his days longer. A man who does violence to the blood of anyone will run to the pit. Don't let any man stop him. Whoever walks straight will be saved, but the one who's twisted in his ways will fall at once. The one who works his land will have plenty of bread, but the one who chases empty people will have plenty of poverty. A faithful man will be full of blessings, but the one who hurries to be rich won't go unpunished. To take sides isn't good, because for a scrap of bread that man will step over the line. The one with a stingy eye hurries to be rich and doesn't think that want will come on him. The one who tells a man off will find more favour afterwards than the one who flatters with his tongue. Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, It's no wrong — he's the mate of a wrecker. The one with a proud heart stirs up fighting, but the one who puts his trust in the Lord will be made fat. The one who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be rescued. The one who gives to the poor won't go short, but the one who hides his eyes will have plenty of curses. When the wicked get up, men hide themselves. But when they die, the righteous grow to be many.

As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him. Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once. He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress. He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer. He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat. He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

15

A wicked ruler over poor people is like a roaring lion and a ranging bear.

Plain English

Like a roaring lion and a wandering bear, that's what a wicked ruler is over poor people.

King James Version, 1611

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

16

A prince who lacks understanding is also a great oppressor, but whoever hates greed will prolong his days.

Plain English

A leader with no understanding is a great oppressor too, but the one who hates greed will make his days longer.

King James Version, 1611

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

17

A man burdened with the blood of another will flee to the pit; don't stop him.

Plain English

A man who does violence to the blood of anyone will run to the pit. Don't let any man stop him.

King James Version, 1611

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

18

Whoever walks uprightly will be saved, but whoever is perverse in his ways will fall suddenly.

Plain English

Whoever walks straight will be saved, but the one who's twisted in his ways will fall at once.

King James Version, 1611

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

19

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but whoever follows vain people will have his fill of poverty.

Plain English

The one who works his land will have plenty of bread, but the one who chases empty people will have plenty of poverty.

King James Version, 1611

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

20

A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever rushes to be rich won't escape punishment.

Plain English

A faithful man will be full of blessings, but the one who hurries to be rich won't go unpunished.

King James Version, 1611

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

21

Showing partiality is not good; for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

Plain English

To take sides isn't good, because for a scrap of bread that man will step over the line.

King James Version, 1611

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

22

A man with an evil eye rushes after riches and doesn't realise poverty is coming for him.

Plain English

The one with a stingy eye hurries to be rich and doesn't think that want will come on him.

King James Version, 1611

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

23

Whoever rebukes a man will afterwards find more favour than one who flatters with his tongue.

Plain English

The one who tells a man off will find more favour afterwards than the one who flatters with his tongue.

King James Version, 1611

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

24

Whoever robs his father or mother and says, ‘That's no sin,’ is the companion of a destroyer.

Plain English

Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, It's no wrong — he's the mate of a wrecker.

King James Version, 1611

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

25

The proud in heart stir up conflict, but whoever trusts in the LORD will prosper.

Plain English

The one with a proud heart stirs up fighting, but the one who puts his trust in the Lord will be made fat.

King James Version, 1611

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 heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

Plain English

The one who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be rescued.

King James Version, 1611

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

27

Whoever gives to the poor won't lack, but whoever hides his eyes will have many curses.

Plain English

The one who gives to the poor won't go short, but the one who hides his eyes will have plenty of curses.

King James Version, 1611

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

28

When the wicked rise, people hide; when they perish, the righteous increase.

Plain English

When the wicked get up, men hide themselves. But when they die, the righteous grow to be many.

King James Version, 1611

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