CHAPTER 28

                ¹The wicked man flees with no pursuer,

                    but the righteous are bold as a lion.

                ²Through the crime of a land, its princes are many,

                    but through a discerning man it is long-lasting.

                ³A poor man oppressing the lowly—

                    pounding rain without bread.

                ⁴Those who forsake teaching praise the wicked,

                    but those who keep the teaching confront them.

                ⁵Evil men do not understand justice,

                    but the LORD’s seekers understand all.

                ⁶Better a destitute man walking blameless

                    than one stubborn in his ways though rich.

                ⁷A discerning son keeps the teaching,

                    but one who consorts with gluttons shames his father.

                ⁸Who increases his wealth through interest and usury

                    will amass it for one kind to the poor.

                ⁹Who turns his ear from heeding instruction,

                    his very prayer is loathsomeness.

                ¹⁰Who misleads the upright to an evil way,

                    in his own pit he will fall,

                          and the blameless will inherit good.

                ¹¹Wise in his own eyes is the rich man,

                    but the discerning poor will find him out.

                ¹²When the righteous rejoice, grand is the splendor,

                    but when the wicked rise up, man dons disguise.

                ¹³Who covers his crimes will not prosper,

                    but who admits and leaves off will be granted mercy.

                ¹⁴Happy the man who fears at all times,

                    but who hardens his heart will fall into harm.

                ¹⁵A growling lion and a famished bear—

                    a wicked ruler over a poor people,

                          ^16aa prince lacking discernment and great in oppression.

                ^16bWho hates ill-gotten gains

                    will have length of days.

                ¹⁷A man oppressing by blood-guilt

                    flees to a pit.

                          Let none hold on to him.

                ¹⁸Who walks in blamelessness will be rescued,

                    but the crooked of ways will fall in a ditch.

                ¹⁹Who tills his soil is sated with bread,

                    but who pursues empty things is sated with poverty.

                ²⁰A trustworthy man abounds in blessings,

                    but who to enrich himself rushes will not go scot-free.

                ²¹Favoritism is not good,

                    and for a crust of bread a man may do wrong.

                ²²The miserly man rushes off after wealth,

                    unaware that want will befall him.

                ²³Who rebukes another man will find more favor

                    than a smooth talker.

                ²⁴Who robs his father and mother saying “It is no crime”

                    is a friend to a man who brings ruin.

                ²⁵The greedy man stirs up strife,

                    but who trusts in the LORD flourishes.

                ²⁶Who trusts in his own heart, he is a fool,

                    but who walks in wisdom, he will escape.

                ²⁷Who gives to the destitute knows not want,

                    but who averts his eyes abounds in curses.

                ²⁸When the wicked rise up, man hides,

                    and when they perish, the righteous are many.