Proverbs 28

1 The [morally wrong, guilty of sin] wicked [evil people] flee [run away, escape] when no one [no man, none] pursues [chases, follows with hostile intent], but the [just, righteous before God] righteous [those made right with God] are as bold [confident, fearless] as a [young, fierce] lion. word study 2 A land [country, territory, or region] in rebellion [transgression, sin] has many [numerous, multiple] rulers [princes, leaders], but a man [Adam, humanity] of understanding [discernment, insight] and knowledge [wisdom, perception] maintains [preserves, upholds] order [stability, continuity]. word study 3 A destitute [poor, needy] leader [great man] who oppresses [presses upon, defrauds] the poor [weak, in need] is like a driving [sweeping, violent] rain [water from the sky] that leaves [causing to be without] no food [bread, grain]. word study 4 Those who [reject, abandon] forsake the law [instruction, Torah] praise [celebrate, honor] the wicked [morally wrong, guilty], but those who [obey] keep the law [instruction, guiding principles] resist [contend with, oppose] them [in their actions, with their values]. word study 5 Evil [morally bad, wicked] men do not understand [discern, comprehend] justice [righteous judgment, moral integrity], but those who seek [search for, pursue] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] comprehend [know, understand fully] fully [completely, with clarity]. word study 6 Better [more desirable, preferable] a poor [destitute, lacking] man who walks [proceeds, conducts his life] with integrity [uprightness, moral purity] than a rich [wealthy, prosperous] man whose ways [path, manner of life] are perverse [twisted, distorted, false]. word study 7 A discerning [wise, understanding] son [child, descendant] keeps [guards, watches over] the law [instruction, Torah], but a companion [friend, associate] of gluttons [those who are morally loose, riotous men] disgraces [shames, humbles] his father [parent, ancestor]. word study 8 He who increases [multiplies, grows] his wealth [substance, riches] by interest [usury, excessive rates] and usury [unjust gain, exploitative lending] lays it up [gathers, stores] for one who is kind [gracious, showing favor] to the poor [needy, weak]. word study 9 Whoever turns [departs from, removes] his ear [the ability to hear, listen] away from hearing [obediently listening to, paying attention to] the law [instruction, divine guidance], even [also, too] his prayer [supplication, request to God] is [considered, regarded as] detestable [an abomination, disgusting]. word study 10 He who leads [causes to wander, astray] the upright [just, righteous] along the path [way, journey] of evil [bad, morally wrong] will fall [to come down, be defeated] into his own pit [hole, trap], but the blameless [unblemished, perfect] will inherit [take possession, receive] what is good [pleasant, beneficial]. word study 11 A rich [wealthy, noble] man is wise [intelligent, skilled] in his own eyes [conceit, opinion], but a poor [needy, weak] man with discernment [understanding, insight] sees through [searches, examines] him [thoroughly, to find the truth]. word study 12 When the righteous [just, morally upright] triumph [rejoice, celebrate], there is great [abundant, many] glory [beauty, honor], but when the wicked [morally wrong, guilty] rise [come to power, stand up], men [people, humanity] hide [disguise, conceal] themselves. word study 13 He who [hides, covers up] conceals his sins [transgressions, rebellions against God] will not [ever] prosper [succeed, experience success], but whoever [freely, openly] confesses [acknowledges, admits guilt] and renounces [forsakes, turns away from] them will find [receive, obtain] mercy [compassion, loving-kindness]. word study 14 Blessed [happy, fortunate] is the man [Adam, humanity] who is always [continually, constantly] reverent [fearing, having awe], but he who hardens [makes stubborn, becomes unyielding] his heart [mind, inner being] falls [suffers, experiences calamity] into trouble [mischief, evil, bad circumstances]. word study 15 Like a roaring [growling, as a lion] lion or a charging [rushing, raging] bear is a wicked [morally wrong, guilty of sin] ruler [having power over, dominating] over a helpless [poor, weak] people [a nation, a community]. word study 16 A leader [ruler, commander] who lacks [is devoid of, without] judgment [understanding, wisdom] is also a great [powerful, mighty] oppressor [one who extorts, cruelly rules], but he who hates [intensely dislikes, abhors] dishonest [unjust, ill-gotten] profit [gain, wealth] will prolong [extend, make long] his days [life, time]. word study 17 A man [oppressed, laden] burdened by bloodguilt [violence against the blood of any person, guilty of murder] will flee [be a fugitive, keep running away] into the Pit [the grave, underworld]; let no one [no man] support [stay, help] him. word study 18 He who walks [with blameless integrity, uprightly] with integrity [unblemished, perfect] will be kept [delivered, saved] safe [protected, preserved], but whoever is perverse [twisted, froward] in his ways [path, manner of life] will suddenly [at once, once] fall [be defeated, come to ruin]. word study 19 The one who works [tills, cultivates] his land [the earth, soil] will have plenty of food [bread, sustenance], but whoever chases [pursues, follows after] fantasies [worthless, empty things] will have his fill of poverty [lack, destitution]. word study 20 A faithful [steadfast, trustworthy] man will abound [be richly supplied] with blessings [gifts from God, prosperity], but one eager [hastening, making haste] to be rich [to enrich himself, gain wealth] will not go [remain] unpunished [without penalty, innocent]. word study 21 To show partiality [to have respect of persons, discern faces] is not good [pleasant, beneficial], yet a man [a great man] will do wrong [transgress, rebel] for a piece [morsel] of bread [food, sustenance]. word study 22 A [selfish, envious] stingy man hastens [is in a rush, hurriedly] after wealth [substance, riches] and does not know [is unaware, ignorant] that poverty [need, lack] awaits [will come upon] him. word study 23 He who [honestly, with integrity] rebukes [corrects, argues with] a man [the individual, a person] will later [afterwards, in the future] find [discover, attain] more favor [kindness, graciousness] than one who flatters [deceives with smooth words, says nice things merely to flatter] with his tongue [the instrument of speech, language]. word study 24 He who robs [plunders, takes by force] his father [parent, ancestor] or mother [maternal figure, caregiver], saying, “It is not wrong [no transgression, no sin],” is a companion [fellow, partner] to the man [individual, person] who destroys [ruins, corrupts]. word study 25 A greedy [proud, arrogant] man stirs up [causes, provokes] strife [contention, conflict], but he who trusts [puts faith, has confidence] in the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] will prosper [be successful, made fat, satisfied]. word study 26 He who trusts [has confidence, relies] in himself [his own heart, feelings] is a fool [stupid, silly, rejecting God], but one who walks [lives, follows] in wisdom [prudence, good judgment] will be safe [delivered, escape danger]. word study 27 Whoever gives [to the needy, generously] to the poor [those in need, destitute] will not be in need [lack, experience want], but he who hides [conceals, turns away] his eyes [sight, awareness] will receive [suffer, experience] many [numerous, abundant] curses [execrations, punishments]. word study 28 When the wicked [morally wrong, guilty of sin] come to power [rise, stand up], people [men, humanity] hide [conceal, keep secret] themselves; but when they perish [are destroyed, lost], the righteous [just, made right with God] flourish [increase, multiply, thrive]. word study