Proverbs 28:1-14
Proverbs 28:1-14 The Message (MSG)
The wicked are edgy with guilt, ready to run off even when no one’s after them; Honest people are relaxed and confident, bold as lions. When the country is in chaos, everybody has a plan to fix it— But it takes a leader of real understanding to straighten things out. The wicked who oppress the poor are like a hailstorm that beats down the harvest. 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. Lead good people down a wrong path and you’ll come to a bad end; do good and you’ll be rewarded for it. The rich think they know it all, but the poor can see right through them. When good people are promoted, everything is great, but when the bad are in charge, watch out! You can’t whitewash your sins and get by with it; you find mercy by admitting and leaving them. A tenderhearted person lives a blessed life; a hardhearted person lives a hard life.
Proverbs 28:1-14 King James Version (KJV)
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: But the righteous are bold as a lion. For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: But by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged. A poor man that oppresseth the poor Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. 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. Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit: But the upright shall have good things in possession. The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: But when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Happy is the man that feareth alway: But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
Proverbs 28:1-14 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion. By the transgression of a land many are its princes, But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures. A poor man who oppresses the lowly Is like a driving rain which leaves no food. 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. He who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit, But the blameless will inherit good. The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding sees through him. When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. How blessed is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
Proverbs 28:1-14 New Century Version (NCV)
Evil people run even though no one is chasing them, but good people are as brave as a lion. When a country is lawless, it has one ruler after another; but when it is led by a leader with understanding and knowledge, it continues strong. Rulers who mistreat the poor are like a hard rain that destroys the crops. 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. Those who lead good people to do wrong will be ruined by their own evil, but the innocent will be rewarded with good things. Rich people may think they are wise, but the poor with understanding will prove them wrong. When good people triumph, there is great happiness, but when the wicked get control, everybody hides. If you hide your sins, you will not succeed. If you confess and reject them, you will receive mercy. Those who are always respectful will be happy, but those who are stubborn will get into trouble.
Proverbs 28:1-14 American Standard Version (ASV)
The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion. For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; But by men of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged. A needy man that oppresseth the poor Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. 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. Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit; But the perfect shall inherit good. The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy. Happy is the man that feareth alway; But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
Proverbs 28:1-14 New International Version (NIV)
The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order. A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops. 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. Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance. The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are. When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding. Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.
Proverbs 28:1-14 New King James Version (NKJV)
The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion. Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes; But by a man of understanding and knowledge Right will be prolonged. A poor man who oppresses the poor Is like a driving rain which leaves no food. 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. Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, He himself will fall into his own pit; But the blameless will inherit good. The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding searches him out. When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory; But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves. He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
Proverbs 28:1-14 Amplified Bible (AMP)
The wicked flee when no one pursues them, But the righteous are as bold as a lion. [Lev 26:17, 36; Ps 53:5] When a land does wrong, it has many princes, But when the ruler is a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability endures. A poor man who oppresses and exploits the lowly Is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food. [Matt 18:28] 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] He who leads the upright astray on an evil path Will himself fall into his own pit, But the blameless will inherit good. The rich man [who is conceited and relies on his wealth instead of God] is wise in his own eyes, But the poor man who has understanding [because he relies on God] is able to see through him. When the righteous triumph, there is great glory and celebration; But when the wicked rise [to prominence], men hide themselves. He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But whoever confesses and turns away from his sins will find compassion and mercy. [Ps 32:3, 5; 1 John 1:8-10] Blessed and favored by God is the man who fears [sin and its consequence] at all times, But he who hardens his heart [and is determined to sin] will fall into disaster.
Proverbs 28:1-14 New Living Translation (NLT)
The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions. When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. A poor person who oppresses the poor is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops. 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. Those who lead good people along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the honest will inherit good things. Rich people may think they are wise, but a poor person with discernment can see right through them. When the godly succeed, everyone is glad. When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding. People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.
Proverbs 28:1-14 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Guilty criminals experience paranoia even though no one threatens them. But the innocent lovers of God, because of righteousness, will have the boldness of a young, ferocious lion! A rebellious nation is thrown into chaos, but leaders anointed with wisdom will restore law and order. When a pauper oppresses the destitute, it’s like a flash flood that sweeps away their last hope. 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. Those who tempt the lovers of God with an evil scheme will fall into their own traps. But the innocent who resist temptation will experience reward. The wealthy in their conceit presume to be wise, but a poor person with discernment can see right through them. The triumphant joy of God’s lovers releases great glory. But when the wicked rise to power, everyone goes into hiding. If you cover up your sin you’ll never do well. But if you confess your sins and forsake them, you will be kissed by mercy. Overjoyed is the one who with tender heart trembles before God, but the stubborn, unyielding heart will experience even greater evil.
Proverbs 28:1-14 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue. A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food. 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. Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance. A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out. When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves. Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.