Chapter 28
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues ; but the righteous are as bold as a lion .
2 In rebellion , a land has many rulers , but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge .
3 A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked ; but those who keep the law contend with them .
5 Evil men don’t understand justice ; but those who seek Yahweh understand it fully.
6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways , and he is rich .
7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son ; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father .
8 He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor .
9 He 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 will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good .
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes ; but the poor who has understanding sees through him .
12 When the righteous triumph , there is great glory ; but when the wicked rise , men hide themselves.
13 He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper , but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy .
14 Blessed is the man who always fears ; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble .
15 As a roaring lion or a charging bear , so is a wicked ruler over helpless people .
16 A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days .
17 A man who is tormented by blood guilt will be a fugitive until death . No one will support him .
18 Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe ; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.
19 One who works his land will have an abundance of food ; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty .
20 A faithful man is rich with blessings ; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished .
21 To show partiality is not good , yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread .
22 A stingy man hurries after riches , and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him .
23 One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue .
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, " It ’s not wrong," is a partner with a destroyer .
25 One who is greedy stirs up strife ; but one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper .
26 One who trusts in himself is a fool ; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
27 One who gives to the poor has no lack ; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses .
28 When the wicked rise , men hide themselves ; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.