28:1 The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
28:2 When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.
28:3 A ruler* who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops. / *Or A poor person
28:4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them.
28:5 Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.
28:6 Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.
28:7 A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
28:8 Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.
28:9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.
28:10 Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.
28:11 The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.
28:12 When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.
28:13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
28:14 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.
28:15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
28:16 A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.
28:17 Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back.
28:18 The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.* / *Syriac (see Septuagint); Hebrew into one
28:19 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
28:20 A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
28:21 To show partiality is not good - yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.
28:22 The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them.
28:23 Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue.
28:24 Whoever robs their father or mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is partner to one who destroys.
28:25 The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.
28:26 Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
28:27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.
28:28 When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.