Proverbs 28:4-9
Proverbs 28:4-9 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Those who set aside the law [of God and man] praise the wicked, But those who keep the law [of God and man] struggle with them. [Prov 29:18] Evil men do not understand justice, But they who long for and seek the LORD understand it fully. [John 7:17; 1 Cor 2:15; 1 John 2:20, 27] Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than he who is crooked and two-faced though he is rich. [Prov 19:1] He who keeps the law [of God and man] is a wise and discerning son, But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father [and himself]. He who increases his wealth by interest and usury (excessive interest) Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor. [Job 27:16, 17; Prov 13:22; Eccl 2:26] He who turns his ear away from listening to the law [of God and man], Even his prayer is repulsive [to God]. [Ps 66:18; 109:7; Prov 15:8; Zech 7:11]
Proverbs 28:4-9 The Message (MSG)
If you desert God’s law, you’re free to embrace depravity; if you love God’s law, you fight for it tooth and nail. Justice makes no sense to the evilminded; those who seek GOD know it inside and out. It’s better to be poor and direct than rich and crooked. Practice God’s law—get a reputation for wisdom; hang out with a loose crowd—embarrass your family. Get as rich as you want through cheating and extortion, But eventually some friend of the poor is going to give it all back to them. God has no use for the prayers of the people who won’t listen to him.
Proverbs 28:4-9 King James Version (KJV)
They that forsake the law praise the wicked: But such as keep the law contend with them. Evil men understand not judgment: But they that seek the LORD understand all things. Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: But he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father. He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, He shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer shall be abomination.
Proverbs 28:4-9 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But those who keep the law strive with them. Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the LORD understand all things. Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than he who is crooked though he be rich. He who keeps the law is a discerning son, But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father. He who increases his wealth by interest and usury Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor. He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.
Proverbs 28:4-9 New Century Version (NCV)
Those who disobey what they have been taught praise the wicked, but those who obey what they have been taught are against them. Evil people do not understand justice, but those who follow the LORD understand it completely. It is better to be poor and innocent than to be rich and wicked. Children who obey what they have been taught are wise, but friends of troublemakers disgrace their parents. Some people get rich by overcharging others, but their wealth will be given to those who are kind to the poor. If you refuse to obey what you have been taught, your prayers will not be heard.
Proverbs 28:4-9 American Standard Version (ASV)
They that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them. Evil men understand not justice; But they that seek Jehovah understand all things. Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father. He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor. He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.
Proverbs 28:4-9 New International Version (NIV)
Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them. Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully. Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse. A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor. If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.
Proverbs 28:4-9 New King James Version (NKJV)
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But such as keep the law contend with them. Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the LORD understand all. Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, But a companion of gluttons shames his father. One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion Gathers it for him who will pity the poor. One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.
Proverbs 28:4-9 New Living Translation (NLT)
To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them. Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the LORD understand completely. Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich. Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends bring shame to their parents. Income from charging high interest rates will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor. God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law.
Proverbs 28:4-9 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Those who turn their backs on what they know is right will no longer be able to tell right from wrong. But those who love the truth strengthen their souls. Justice never makes sense to men devoted to darkness, but those tenderly devoted to the Lord can understand justice perfectly. It’s more respectable to be poor and pure than rich and perverse. To be obedient to what you’ve been taught proves you’re an honorable child, but to socialize with the lawless brings shame to your parents. Go ahead and get rich on the backs of the poor, but all the wealth you gather will one day be given to those who are kind to the needy. If you close your heart and refuse to listen to God’s instruction, even your prayer will be despised.
Proverbs 28:4-9 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them. Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely. Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways. The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father. Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor. If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.