Proverbs 28 - New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Warnings and Instructions

28 The wicked (A)flee when no one is pursuing,
But the righteous are [a]bold as a lion.
2 Due to a [b]wrongdoing of [c]a land its leaders are (B)many,
But (C)by a person of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.
3 A (D)poor man who oppresses the helpless
Is like a driving rain [d]which leaves no food.
4 Those who abandon the Law (E)praise the wicked,
But those who keep the Law (F)strive against them.
5 Evil people (G)do not understand justice,
But those who seek the Lord (H)understand everything.
6 (I)Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity,
Than a person who is [e]crooked, though he is rich.
7 He who keeps the Law is a discerning son,
But he who is a companion of (J)gluttons humiliates his father.
8 One who increases his wealth by [f](K)interest of any kind,
Collects it (L)for one who is gracious to the poor.
9 One who turns his ear away from listening to the Law,
Even his (M)prayer is an abomination.
10 One who leads the upright astray in an evil way
Will (N)himself fall into his own pit,
But the (O)blameless will inherit good.
11 The rich person is (P)wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding [g]sees through him.
12 When the (Q)righteous triumph, there is great glory,
But (R)when the wicked rise, people [h]hide themselves.
13 One who (S)conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper,
But one who (T)confesses and abandons them will find compassion.
14 How blessed is the person who (U)fears always,
But one who (V)hardens his heart will fall into disaster.
15 Like a (W)roaring lion and a rushing bear
Is a (X)wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A (Y)leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding,
But a person who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 A person who is (Z)burdened with the guilt of human blood
Will [i]be a fugitive until death; no one is to support him!
18 One who walks blamelessly will receive help,
But one who is [j](AA)crooked will fall all at once.
19 (AB)One who works his land will (AC)have plenty of food,
But one who follows empty pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 A (AD)faithful person will abound with blessings,
But one who (AE)hurries to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 To [k](AF)show partiality is not good,
(AG)Because for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 A person with an (AH)evil eye (AI)hurries after wealth
And does not know that poverty will come upon him.
23 One who (AJ)rebukes a person will afterward find more favor
Than one who (AK)flatters with the tongue.
24 He who (AL)robs his father or his mother
And says, “There is no wrong done,”
Is the (AM)companion of a person who destroys.
25 An [l]arrogant person (AN)stirs up strife,
But one who (AO)trusts in the Lord (AP)will [m]prosper.
26 One who (AQ)trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But one who walks wisely will flee to safety.
27 One who (AR)gives to the poor will never lack anything,
But one who [n]shuts his eyes will have many curses.
28 When the wicked rise, people hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:1 Lit confident
  2. Proverbs 28:2 Or rebellion
  3. Proverbs 28:2 I.e., the people of a land
  4. Proverbs 28:3 Lit and there is no bread
  5. Proverbs 28:6 Lit perverse of two ways
  6. Proverbs 28:8 Possibly interest on money and food loans
  7. Proverbs 28:11 Lit examines him
  8. Proverbs 28:12 Lit will be searched for
  9. Proverbs 28:17 Lit flee to the pit
  10. Proverbs 28:18 Lit perverse of two ways
  11. Proverbs 28:21 Lit regard the face
  12. Proverbs 28:25 Lit broad soul
  13. Proverbs 28:25 Lit be made fat
  14. Proverbs 28:27 Lit hides

Cross references

  1. Proverbs 28:1 : Lev 26:17, 36; Ps 53:5
  2. Proverbs 28:2 : 1 Kin 16:8-28; 2 Kin 15:8-15
  3. Proverbs 28:2 : Prov 11:11
  4. Proverbs 28:3 : Matt 18:28
  5. Proverbs 28:4 : Ps 49:18; Rom 1:32
  6. Proverbs 28:4 : 1 Kin 18:18; Neh 13:11, 15; Matt 3:7; 14:4; Eph 5:11
  7. Proverbs 28:5 : Ps 92:6; Is 6:9; 44:18
  8. Proverbs 28:5 : Ps 119:100; Prov 2:9; John 7:17; 1 Cor 2:15; 1 John 2:20, 27
  9. Proverbs 28:6 : Prov 19:1
  10. Proverbs 28:7 : Prov 23:20
  11. Proverbs 28:8 : Ex 22:25; Lev 25:36
  12. Proverbs 28:8 : Job 27:17; Prov 13:22; 14:31
  13. Proverbs 28:9 : Ps 66:18; 109:7; Prov 15:8; 21:27
  14. Proverbs 28:10 : Ps 7:15; Prov 26:27
  15. Proverbs 28:10 : Matt 6:33; Heb 6:12; 1 Pet 3:9
  16. Proverbs 28:11 : Prov 3:7; 26:5, 12
  17. Proverbs 28:12 : Prov 11:10; 29:2
  18. Proverbs 28:12 : Prov 28:28; Eccl 10:5, 6
  19. Proverbs 28:13 : Job 31:33; Ps 32:3
  20. Proverbs 28:13 : Ps 32:5; 1 John 1:9
  21. Proverbs 28:14 : Prov 23:17
  22. Proverbs 28:14 : Ps 95:8; Rom 2:5
  23. Proverbs 28:15 : Prov 19:12; 1 Pet 5:8
  24. Proverbs 28:15 : Ex 1:14; Prov 29:2; Matt 2:16
  25. Proverbs 28:16 : Eccl 10:16; Is 3:12
  26. Proverbs 28:17 : Gen 9:6; Ex 21:14
  27. Proverbs 28:18 : Prov 10:27
  28. Proverbs 28:19 : Prov 12:11
  29. Proverbs 28:19 : Prov 20:13
  30. Proverbs 28:20 : Prov 10:6; Matt 24:45; 25:21
  31. Proverbs 28:20 : Prov 20:21; 28:22; 1 Tim 6:9
  32. Proverbs 28:21 : Prov 24:23
  33. Proverbs 28:21 : Ezek 13:19
  34. Proverbs 28:22 : Prov 23:6
  35. Proverbs 28:22 : Prov 21:5
  36. Proverbs 28:23 : Prov 27:5, 6
  37. Proverbs 28:23 : Prov 29:5
  38. Proverbs 28:24 : Prov 19:26
  39. Proverbs 28:24 : Prov 18:9
  40. Proverbs 28:25 : Prov 15:18
  41. Proverbs 28:25 : Prov 29:25; 1 Tim 6:6
  42. Proverbs 28:25 : Prov 11:25
  43. Proverbs 28:26 : Prov 3:5
  44. Proverbs 28:27 : Prov 11:24; 19:17

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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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