28:1 The wicked person flees when there is no one pursuing,
but the righteous person is as confident as a lion.
28:2 When a country is rebellious it has many princes,
but by someone who is discerning and knowledgeable order is maintained.
28:3 A poor person who oppresses the weak
is like a driving rain without food.
28:4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
but those who keep the law contend with them.
28:5 Evil people do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord understand it all.
28:6 A poor person who walks in his integrity is better
than one who is perverse in his ways even though he is rich.
28:7 The one who keeps the law is a discerning child,
but a companion of gluttons brings shame to his parents.
28:8 The one who increases his wealth by increasing interest
gathers it for someone who is gracious to the needy.
28:9 The one who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
even his prayer is an abomination.
28:10 The one who leads the upright astray in an evil way
will himself fall into his own pit,
but the blameless will inherit what is good.
28:11 A rich person is wise in his own eyes,
but a discerning poor person can evaluate him properly.
28:12 When the righteous rejoice, great is the glory,
but when the wicked rise to power, people are sought out.
28:13 The one who covers his transgressions will not prosper,
but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will find mercy.
28:14 Blessed is the one who is always cautious,
but whoever hardens his heart will fall into evil.
28:15 Like a roaring lion or a roving bear,
so is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
28:16 The prince who is a great oppressor lacks wisdom,
but the one who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
28:17 The one who is tormented by the murder of another will flee to the pit;
let no one support him.
28:18 The one who walks blamelessly will be delivered,
but whoever is perverse in his ways will fall at once.
28:19 The one who works his land will be satisfied with food,
but whoever chases daydreams will have his fill of poverty.
28:20 A faithful person will have an abundance of blessings,
but the one who hastens to gain riches will not go unpunished.
28:21 To show partiality is terrible,
for a person will transgress over the smallest piece of bread.
28:22 The stingy person hastens after riches
and does not know that poverty will overtake him.
28:23 The one who reproves another will in the end find more favor
than the one who flatters with the tongue.
28:24 The one who robs his father and mother and says, “There is no transgression,”
is a companion to the one who destroys.
28:25 The greedy person stirs up dissension,
but the one who trusts in the Lord will prosper.
28:26 The one who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
but the one who walks in wisdom will escape.
28:27 The one who gives to the poor will not lack,
but whoever shuts his eyes to them will receive many curses.
28:28 When the wicked gain control, people hide themselves,
but when they perish, the righteous increase.
29:1 The one who stiffens his neck after numerous rebukes
will suddenly be destroyed without remedy.
29:2 When the righteous become numerous, the people rejoice;
when the wicked rule, the people groan.
29:3 The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but whoever associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth.
29:4 A king brings stability to a land by justice,
but one who exacts tribute tears it down.
29:5 The one who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his steps.
29:6 In the transgression of an evil person there is a snare,
but a righteous person can sing and rejoice.
29:7 The righteous person cares for the legal rights of the poor;
the wicked does not understand such knowledge.
29:8 Scornful people inflame a city,
but those who are wise turn away wrath.
29:9 If a wise person goes to court with a foolish person,
there is no peace whether he is angry or laughs.
29:10 Bloodthirsty people hate someone with integrity;
as for the upright, they seek his life.
29:11 A fool lets fly with all his temper,
but a wise person keeps it back.
29:12 If a ruler listens to lies,
all his ministers will be wicked.
29:13 The poor person and the oppressor have this in common:
the Lord gives light to the eyes of them both.
29:14 If a king judges the poor in truth,
his throne will be established forever.
29:15 A rod and reproof impart wisdom,
but a child who is unrestrained brings shame to his mother.
29:16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
but the righteous will see their downfall.
29:17 Discipline your child, and he will give you rest;
he will bring you happiness.
29:18 When there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,
but the one who keeps the law, blessed is he!
29:19 A servant cannot be corrected by words,
for although he understands, there is no answer.
29:20 Do you see someone who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
29:21 If someone pampers his servant from youth,
he will be a weakling in the end.
29:22 An angry person stirs up dissension,
and a wrathful person is abounding in transgression.
29:23 A person’s pride will bring him low,
but one who has a lowly spirit will gain honor.
29:24 Whoever shares with a thief is his own enemy;
he hears the oath to testify, but does not talk.
29:25 The fear of people becomes a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord will be set on high.
29:26 Many people seek the face of a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that one receives justice.
29:27 An unjust person is an abomination to the righteous,
and the one who lives an upright life is an abomination to the wicked.