Proverbs - Chapter 28

Passage

The wicked man flees, when no one pursues: but the just, bold as a lion, shall be without dread. For the sins of the land many are the princes thereof: and for the wisdom of a man, and the knowledge of those things that are said, the life of the prince shall be prolonged. A poor man that oppresses the poor, is like a violent shower, which brings a famine. They that forsake the law, praise the wicked man: they that keep it, are incensed against him. Evil men think not on judgment: but they that seek after the Lord, take notice of all things. Better is the poor man walking in his simplicity, than the rich in crooked ways. He that keeps the law, is a wise son: but he that feeds gluttons, shames his father. He that heaps together riches by usury and loan, gathers them for him that will be bountiful to the poor. He that turns away his ears from hearing the law, his prayer shall be an abomination. He that deceives the just in a wicked way, shall fall in his own destruction: and the upright shall possess his goods. The rich man seems to himself wise: but the poor man that is prudent shall search him out. In the joy of the just there is great glory: when the wicked reign, men are ruined. He that hides his sins, shall not prosper: but he that shall confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy. Blessed is the man that is always fearful: but he that is hardened in mind shall fall into evil. As a roaring lion, and a hungry bear, so is a wicked prince over the poor people. A prince void of prudence shall oppress many by calumny: but he that hates covetousness, shall prolong his days. A man that does violence to the blood of a person, if he flee even to the pit, no one will stay him. He that walks uprightly, shall be saved: he that is perverse in his ways, shall fall at once. He that tills his ground, shall be filled with bread: but he that follows idleness, shall be filled with poverty. A faithful man shall be much praised: but he that makes haste to be rich, shall not be innocent. He that has respect to a person in judgment, does not well: such a man even for a morsel of bread forsakes the truth. A man that makes haste to be rich, and envies others, is ignorant that poverty shall come upon him. He that rebukes a man, shall afterward find favor with him, more than he that by a flattering tongue deceives him. He that steals any thing from his father, or from his mother: and says, This is no sin, is the partner of a murderer. He that boasts and puffs up himself, stirs up quarrels: but he that trusts in the Lord, shall be healed. He that trusts in his own heart, is a fool: but he that walks wisely, he shall be saved. He that gives to the poor shall not want: he that despises his entreaty, shall suffer indigence. When the wicked rise up, men shall hide themselves: when they perish, the just shall be multiplied.