Proverbs 28 - American Standard Version (ASV)

28 The wicked flee when no man pursueth;
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof;
But by [a]men of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
3 A needy man that oppresseth the poor
Is like a sweeping rain [b]which leaveth no food.
4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked;
But such as keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men understand not justice;
But they that seek Jehovah understand all things.
6 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity,
Than he that is [c]perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son;
But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father.
8 He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase,
Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way,
He shall fall himself into his own pit;
But the perfect shall inherit good.
11 The rich man is wise in [d]his own conceit;
But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory;
But when the wicked rise, men [e]hide themselves.
13 He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper;
But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.
14 Happy is the man that feareth alway;
But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into [f]mischief.
15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear,
So is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 [g]The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor;
But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17 A man that is laden with the blood of any person
Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him.
18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered;
But [h]he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19 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 shall abound with blessings;
But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.
21 To have respect of persons is not good;
[i]Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.
22 He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches,
And knoweth not that want shall come upon him.
23 He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favor
Than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression,
The same is the companion of a destroyer.
25 He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife;
But he that putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be made fat.
26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool;
But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27 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, men hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:2 Or, a man
  2. Proverbs 28:3 Hebrew without food.
  3. Proverbs 28:6 Hebrew perverse of two ways.
  4. Proverbs 28:11 Hebrew his own eyes.
  5. Proverbs 28:12 Hebrew must be searched for.
  6. Proverbs 28:14 Or, calamity
  7. Proverbs 28:16 Or, O prince that lackest understanding and art a great oppressor, He etc.
  8. Proverbs 28:18 Or, he that walketh perversely in two ways
  9. Proverbs 28:21 Or, For for a piece of bread a man will transgress

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Proverbs 28 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

28 The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer. And the righteous as a young lion is confident. 2 By the transgression of a land many [are] its heads. And by an intelligent man, Who knoweth right -- it is prolonged. 3 A man -- poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no brea...
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Proverbs 28 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

28 A wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth; but a just man as a lion trusting shall be without fearedfulness. (A wicked person fleeth, when no one pursueth him; but a righteous person shall be without fear, like a trusting lion.) 2 For the sins of the land there be many princes of it; and for the ...
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Proverbs 28 - World English Bible (WEB)

28 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...
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Proverbs 28 - The Voice (VOICE)

28 The wicked run away even when no one is chasing them; the right-living, however, stand their ground as boldly as lions.2 Where there is rebellion in a land, there are many petty and contending rulers;But where there is a wise and intelligent leader, peace and order endure. 3 A poor person who opp...
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Proverbs 28 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Confidence, Discernment, Integrity28 The wicked flee when no one is pursuing,but the righteous are as bold as a lion.2 When a country is in rebellion, it has many rulers,but a man of discernment and knowledge maintains order. 3 A poor man who oppresses the weakis like pounding rain without food.4 Th...
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Proverbs 28 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

28 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.2 When a land transgresses it has many rulers;but with men 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.4 Those who forsake the la...
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Proverbs 28 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

28 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.2 When a land transgresses it has many rulers;but with men 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.4 Those who forsake the la...
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Proverbs 28 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

28 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.2 When a land rebels it has many rulers;but with an intelligent ruler there is lasting order.[a]3 A ruler[b] who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but...
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Proverbs 28 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

28 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.(A)2 When a land rebels it has many rulers;but with an intelligent[a] person, honesty endures.(B)3 A poor person who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.(C)4 Those who forsake the law praise the wick...
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Proverbs 28 - New Living Translation (NLT)

28 The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions. 2 When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. 3 A poor person who oppresses the poor is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops...
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Proverbs 28 - New Life Version (NLV)

28 The sinful run away when no one is trying to catch them, but those who are right with God have as much strength of heart as a lion. 2 When a nation sins, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and much learning, it will last a long time. 3 A poor man who makes it hard for the poor is...
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Proverbs 28 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The Righteous Are Bold as a Lion28 The (A)wicked flee when no one pursues,But the righteous are bold as a lion. 2 Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;But by a man of understanding and knowledgeRight will be prolonged. 3 (B)A poor man who oppresses the poorIs like a driving r...
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Proverbs 28 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

28 The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. 2 When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order. 3 A ruler[a] who oppresses the poor is like driving rain that leaves no crops. 4 Those who forsake instru...
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Proverbs 28 - New International Version (NIV)

28 The wicked flee(A) though no one pursues,(B) but the righteous are as bold as a lion.(C) 2 When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order. 3 A ruler[a] who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops. 4 Those who for...
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Proverbs 28 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

28 Sinners run away even when no one is chasing them. But those who do what is right are as bold as lions. 2 A country has many rulers when its people don’t obey. But an understanding ruler knows how to keep order. 3 A ruler who treats poor people badly is like a pounding rain that leaves no crops. ...
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Proverbs 28 - New English Translation (NET)

28 The wicked person fled,[a] though no one was pursuing,[b]but the righteous person can be as confident[c] as a lion.2 When a country is rebellious[d] it has many princes,[e]but by someone who is discerning and knowledgeable[f] order is maintained.[g]3 A poor person[h] who oppresses the weakis like...
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