Proverbs 28 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 28 ▼
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1 The wicked flee when no one pursues them, But the righteous are as bold as a lion. The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 When a land does wrong, it has many princes, But when the ruler is a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability endures. When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue. When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.
3 A poor man who oppresses and exploits the lowly Is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food. A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food. A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.
4 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. Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them. Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them.
5 Evil men do not understand justice, But they who long for and seek the LORD understand it fully. Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely. Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.
6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than he who is crooked and two-faced though he is rich. Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways. Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.
7 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]. The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father. A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
8 He who increases his wealth by interest and usury (excessive interest) Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor. Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor. Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.
9 He who turns his ear away from listening to the law [of God and man], Even his prayer is repulsive [to God]. If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.
10 He who leads the upright astray on an evil path Will himself fall into his own pit, But the blameless will inherit good. Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance. Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.
11 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. A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out. The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory and celebration; But when the wicked rise [to prominence], men hide themselves. When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves. When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.
13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But whoever confesses and turns away from his sins will find compassion and mercy. Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14 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. Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity. Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.
15 Like a roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people. Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
16 A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding and common sense [and his wickedness shortens his days], But he who hates unjust gain will [be blessed and] prolong his days. A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.
17 A man who is burdened with the guilt of human blood (murder) Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him or give him refuge. If one is burdened with the blood of another, he will be a fugitive until death; let no one help him. Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back.
18 He who walks blamelessly and uprightly will be kept safe, But he who is crooked (perverse) will suddenly fall. Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall. The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.
19 He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows worthless people and frivolous pursuits will have plenty of poverty. Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty. Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
20 A faithful (right-minded) man will abound with blessings, But he who hurries to be rich will not go unpunished. A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
21 To have regard for one person over another and to show favoritism is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong. To show partiality is not good— yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 He who has an evil and envious eye hurries to be rich And does not know that poverty will come upon him. A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him. The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them.
23 He who [appropriately] reprimands a [wise] man will afterward find more favor Than he who flatters with the tongue. Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue. Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue.
24 He who robs his father or his mother And says, “This is no sin,” Is [not only a thief but also] the companion of a man who destroys. Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “That is no transgression,” is a companion to a man who destroys. Whoever robs their father or mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is partner to one who destroys.
25 An arrogant and greedy man stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will be blessed and prosper. A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched. The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper.
26 He who trusts confidently in his own heart is a [dull, thickheaded] fool, But he who walks in [skillful and godly] wisdom will be rescued. Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
27 He who gives to the poor will never want, But he who shuts his eyes [from their need] will have many curses. Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse. Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.
28 When the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves; But when the wicked perish, the [consistently] righteous increase and become great. When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase. When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.
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