Proverbs 28, side by side

¹The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

¹The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

²A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.

²For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

³A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.

³A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

⁴Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.

⁴They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

⁵Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.

⁵Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

⁶Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.

⁶Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

⁷A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

⁷Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

⁸He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.

⁸He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

⁹Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.

⁹He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

¹⁰He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.

¹⁰Whoso 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.

¹¹A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.

¹¹The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

¹²When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

¹²When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

¹³He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

¹³He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

¹⁴Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

¹⁴Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

¹⁵Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

¹⁵As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

¹⁶A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.

¹⁶The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

¹⁷A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.

¹⁷A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

¹⁸He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.

¹⁸Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

¹⁹The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

¹⁹He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

²⁰A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

²⁰A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

²¹To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

²¹To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

²²A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.

²²He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

²³He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.

²³He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

²⁴He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys.

²⁴Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

²⁵A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.

²⁵He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

²⁶He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.

²⁶He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

²⁷Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.

²⁷He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

²⁸When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.

²⁸When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.