Confidence, Discernment, Integrity
28 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 weak
is like pounding rain without food.
4 Those who forsake Torah praise the wicked,
but those who keep Torah stir them up.
5 Evil men do not understand justice,
but those who seek Adonai understand it fully.
6 Better the poor who walks in his integrity
than the rich whose ways are crooked.
7 He who keeps Torah is a discerning son,
but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
8 Whoever increases his wealth by exorbitant interest,
gathers it for one kinder to the poor.
9 One who turns his ear from hearing Torah
—even his prayer is an abomination.
10 One who leads the upright astray along an evil path
will fall into his own pit,
but the blameless will inherit good.
11 A rich person is wise in his own eyes,
but a discerning poor person sees through him.
12 When the righteous triumph there is great glory,
but when the wicked rise to power, people hide.
13 One who covers up his transgressions will not prosper,
but whoever confesses and forsakes them finds mercy.
14 Blessed is one who is always cautious,
but whoever hardens his heart will fall into trouble.
15 Like a roaring lion or a prowling bear
is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
16 An oppressive leader lacks judgment.
One who hates unjust gain will prolong his life.
17 A man tormented by the guilt of murder
flees to the Pit—let no one support him.
18 Whoever walks blamelessly will be safe,
but whoever is perverse in his ways will fall suddenly.
Wisdom About Finances
19 Whoever works his land will be satisfied with food,
but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20 A faithful man will have many blessings,
but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is not good—
yet for a piece of bread a man may do wrong.
22 A stingy man[a] chases after riches,
but does not know that poverty will overtake him.
23 One who rebukes a man will in the end find more favor
than one with a flattering tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother, and says, “It’s not a crime,”
is a partner to him who destroys.
25 A greedy soul stirs up strife,
but one who trusts in Adonai prospers.
26 Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom will escape.
27 One who gives to the poor will not lack,
but one who shuts his eyes will have many curses.
28 When the wicked rise to power, people hide,
but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:22 Lit. a man with an evil eye.