Proverbs 28:2-28

28:2 When a country is rebellious it has many princes,

but by someone who is discerning and knowledgeable order is maintained.

28:3 A poor person who oppresses the weak

is like a driving rain without food.

28:4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,

but those who keep the law contend with them.

28:5 Evil people do not understand justice,

but those who seek the Lord understand it all.

28:6 A poor person who walks in his integrity is better

than one who is perverse in his ways even though he is rich.

28:7 The one who keeps the law is a discerning child,

but a companion of gluttons brings shame to his parents.

28:8 The one who increases his wealth by increasing interest

gathers it for someone who is gracious to the needy.

28:9 The one who turns away his ear from hearing the law,

even his prayer is an abomination.

28:10 The one who leads the upright astray in an evil way

will himself fall into his own pit,

but the blameless will inherit what is good.

28:11 A rich person is wise in his own eyes,

but a discerning poor person can evaluate him properly.

28:12 When the righteous rejoice, great is the glory,

but when the wicked rise to power, people are sought out.

28:13 The one who covers his transgressions will not prosper,

but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will find mercy.

28:14 Blessed is the one who is always cautious,

but whoever hardens his heart will fall into evil.

28:15 Like a roaring lion or a roving bear,

so is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

28:16 The prince who is a great oppressor lacks wisdom,

but the one who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

28:17 The one who is tormented by the murder of another will flee to the pit;

let no one support him.

28:18 The one who walks blamelessly will be delivered,

but whoever is perverse in his ways will fall at once.

28:19 The one who works his land will be satisfied with food,

but whoever chases daydreams will have his fill of poverty.

28:20 A faithful person will have an abundance of blessings,

but the one who hastens to gain riches will not go unpunished.

28:21 To show partiality is terrible,

for a person will transgress over the smallest piece of bread.

28:22 The stingy person hastens after riches

and does not know that poverty will overtake him.

28:23 The one who reproves another will in the end find more favor

than the one who flatters with the tongue.

28:24 The one who robs his father and mother and says, “There is no transgression,”

is a companion to the one who destroys.

28:25 The greedy person stirs up dissension,

but the one who trusts in the Lord will prosper.

28:26 The one who trusts in his own heart is a fool,

but the one who walks in wisdom will escape.

28:27 The one who gives to the poor will not lack,

but whoever shuts his eyes to them will receive many curses.

28:28 When the wicked gain control, people hide themselves,

but when they perish, the righteous increase.