Proverbs 28

Proverbs 28:1

Guilt makes men cowards; but conscious integrity makes men courageous, and to proceed with undaunted resolution in the most hazardous undertakings

Proverbs 28:2

To punish the wickedness of nations, God permits them to fall into factions, or murder their sovereigns: but a prince of remarkable piety and prudence is extremely useful for settling or preserving a state

Proverbs 28:3

A needy man placed in power, and squeezing from the poor that little which they have, is a most ruinous scourge to a nation

Proverbs 28:4

Apostates from the ways of God are the most forward in encouraging men in wickedness and commending them for it: but they who resolutely observe God’s law do what they can to reform or punish them

Proverbs 28:5

Unregenerate men have no solid or experimental knowledge of what is right or wrong: but they who study God’s word, and depend on his instructions, understand whatever is necessary to salvation. 2 6. A poor man, who acts honestly and uprightly in all he does, is far happier, and more useful and commendable, than a rich pretender to virtue, who obstinately and craftily practises vice

Proverbs 28:7

He is an honour to his parents, as well as to himself, who studies the law of God, and observes the rules of piety and sobriety there prescribed: but he that associates himself with rakes, drunkards, and gluttons, and spends his time and money in sensual pleasures, is a shame and vexation to them

Proverbs 28:8

God often translates the wealth gotten by covetousness and oppression from the gatherers into the hands of such as are merciful and benevolent

Proverbs 28:9

The very prayers, and other religious services, of them who obstinately live in their sins are, in God’s view, an abominable and hypocritical prostitution of his ordinances, since it appears, as if they thus intended to make him a partner in their wickedness

Proverbs 28:10

They, who by their persuasion, example, or cunning contrivances, seduce upright men into sinful and dangerous practices, shall themselves irrecoverably fall into that very mischief which they intended for others: but they who live in simplicity and godly sincerity shall enjoy the blessings of grace here, and of glory hereafter

Proverbs 28:11

Rich men, being courted and complimented by every one, are apt to imagine themselves extremely wise: but sensible and religious persons, however poor, quickly discern their emptiness and ignorance

Proverbs 28:12

It is an honour and happiness for a nation when pious and prudent men are advanced to places of power and trust: but, when the wicked are exalted, the persons, lives, and estates, especially of good men, are in danger, and they are obliged to conceal them

Proverbs 28:13

He that conceals, extenuates, or defends, his sins, exposes himself to severe punishments: but he, who through faith in Christ, confesses and forsakes them, shall be graciously blessed by God, and honoured by men

Proverbs 28:14

Happy is he who lives under the constant awe of God’s perfections, and under a jealousy of his own evil heart and a fear to do evil: but he that obstinately and presumptuously goes on in his sinful courses shall irrecoverably and eternally perish

Proverbs 28:15

How cruel and terrible a plague is a tyrannical ruler! His subjects, unable to resist, are harassed by oppression, and terrified with fears of still greater evils.—

Proverbs 28:17

Murderers shall never be able to escape the vengeance of God: but shall hurry themselves into sudden and irretrievable destruction, without any one to help or pity them

Proverbs 28:18

Real godliness, strict honesty and integrity, are the sure road to safety, honour, and happiness: but fraudulent sinners, obstinate in their wickedness, shall quickly involve themselves in the depths of misery. 19, 20. They who believe in Christ, and act with diligence, fidelity, and candour, in their dealings, shall have abundant blessings from God and honours from men: but they who hasten to be rich render themselves execrable by their base and fraudulent methods

Proverbs 28:21

When judges have accustomed themselves to respect persons in judgment, the most insignificant bribe will make them to disregard both law and equity, and favour an unrighteous cause

Proverbs 28:22

He that hastens to be rich envies every body who has more than himself, covets whatever he sees, and grudges to part with the most necessary expense or alms; and never seriously thinks how quickly God may take him from his wealth, or, by his curse, blast it to him, and leave him in deep poverty, or remove it to others

Proverbs 28:23

They, who, in an honest and friendly manner, reprove a man for his faults, will afterwards have much more of his favour and regard than they who flatter him in his sins

Proverbs 28:24

They who snatch all that they can from their parents are as bad as common robbers, and are in a fair way to associate themselves with such

Proverbs 28:25

A man of a proud, insolent, and ambitious, spirit, involves himself in perpetual quarrels, and has no satisfaction in what he enjoys; nay many times wastes his estate in contentions: but he, who, trusting in the Lord to redress his grievances, patiently bears injuries, lives comfortably and happy

Proverbs 28:26

Nothing is more foolish than to rely wholly on our own wisdom and ability, or to trust in our own heart, which is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: but he, who walks according to the counsels of wise men and the directions of God, shall escape, or be delivered out of, manifold dangers and troubles

Proverbs 28:27

He, who kindly and cheerfully relieves such as are in vain, shall thereby increase his own estate; but he that avoids taking notice of their miseries draws upon himself the curse of God and of men

Proverbs 28:28

When wicked men are increased in number, and advanced in authority, good men are obliged to hide themselves from their tyranny and persecution: but, when God casts down the wicked, the righteous take courage, and openly shew themselves; and their numbers are increased under pious and prudent governors