Aa
1The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them,28:1 Lv 26:17; Ps 53:5
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.28:1 Eph 6:19–20

2When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers,28:2 1Kg 16:8–28; 2Kg 15:8–15
but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.

3A destitute leader28:3 LXX reads A wicked man who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no food.28:3 Ex 9:25

4Those who reject the law praise the wicked,28:4 Rm 1:32
but those who keep the law pit themselves against them.28:4 1Kg 18:18; Neh 13:11,15; Mt 3:7; 14:4; Eph 5:11

5The evil do not understand justice,28:5 Ps 92:6
but those who seek the Lord understand everything.28:5 Ps 119:100; Jn 7:17; 1Co 2:15; Jms 1:5; 1Jn 2:20,27

6Better the poor person who lives with integrity28:6 Pr 19:1; 20:7
than the rich one who distorts right and wrong.28:6 Lit who twists two ways28:6 Pr 16:8,19; 19:22; Is 5:20

7A discerning son keeps the law,
but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.28:7 Dt 21:20; Pr 17:25; 23:20; 29:3

8Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest28:8 Ex 22:25; Lv 25:36
collects it for one who is kind to the poor.28:8 Jb 27:17; Pr 13:22; Ec 2:26; Ezk 18:13,17

9Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law —
even his prayer is detestable.28:9 Ps 109:7; Pr 15:8,29; 21:27

10The one who leads the upright into an evil way
will fall into his own pit,28:10 Ps 7:15; Pr 16:29; 26:27; Mt 18:6
but the blameless will inherit what is good.28:10 Mt 5:6

11A rich person is wise in his own eyes,
but a poor one who has discernment sees through him.

12When the righteous triumph,
there is great rejoicing,28:12 Lit glory
but when the wicked come to power,
people hide.28:12 Pr 11:10; 28:28; 29:2; Ec 10:5–6

13The one who conceals his sins
will not prosper,28:13 Jb 31:33; Ps 32:3
but whoever confesses and renounces them
will find mercy.28:13 Ps 32:5; Jms 5:16; 1Jn 1:9

14Happy is the one who is always reverent,28:14 2Ch 19:7; Pr 23:17
but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.28:14 Ps 95:8

15A wicked ruler over a helpless people28:15 Ex 1:14; Pr 29:2; Mt 2:16
is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.28:15 Pr 19:12; 1Pt 5:8

16A leader who lacks understanding
is very oppressive,
but one who hates dishonest profit
prolongs his life.28:16 1Kg 12:1–19; Ps 15:5; Pr 15:27

17Someone burdened by bloodguilt28:17 Lit the blood of a person
will be a fugitive until death.28:17 Gn 4:14; 9:6; Ex 21:14
Let no one help him.28:17 Nm 35:31

18The one who lives with integrity will be helped,
but one who distorts right and wrong28:18 Lit who is twisted regarding two ways
will suddenly fall.28:18 Pr 2:7; 10:9; 20:7

19The one who works his land
will have plenty of food,28:19 Pr 24:27
but whoever chases fantasies
will have his fill of poverty.28:19 Pr 1:31; 12:11,14; 14:14

20A faithful person will have many blessings,28:20 Pr 10:6; Mt 25:21
but one in a hurry to get rich28:20 Pr 20:21; 28:22; 1Tm 6:9
will not go unpunished.

21It is not good to show partiality28:21 Pr 18:5; 24:23 —
yet even a courageous person may sin for a piece of bread.28:21 Ezk 13:19

22A greedy one28:22 Lit A man with an evil eye is in a hurry for wealth;
he doesn’t know that poverty will come to him.28:22 Pr 13:11; 20:21; 21:5; 22:16

23One who rebukes a person will later find more favor28:23 Pr 27:5–6
than one who flatters with his tongue.28:23 Pr 26:28; 29:5

24The one who robs his father or mother28:24 Pr 19:26
and says, “That’s no sin,”28:24 Pr 30:20; Mk 7:11
is a companion to a person who destroys.28:24 Pr 18:9

25A greedy person stirs up conflict,28:25 Pr 15:18
but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper.28:25 Ps 37:3–5; Pr 3:5–6; Jr 17:7–8

26The one who trusts in himself28:26 Lit his heart is a fool,
but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.28:26 Pr 3:5–7

27The one who gives to the poor
will not be in need,
but one who turns his eyes away28:27 Lit who shuts his eyes
will receive many curses.28:27 Pr 11:24; 19:17; 22:16

28When the wicked come to power,
people hide,
but when they are destroyed,
the righteous flourish.28:28 Pr 28:12; 29:2