Proverbs 28

28 ¹The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. ²When a land rebels, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, it stays stable. ³A poor man who oppresses the helpless is like a driving rain that leaves no food. ⁴Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them. ⁵Evil people do not understand justice, but those who seek our Father understand it fully. ⁶Better is a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man crooked in his ways. ⁷Whoever keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father. ⁸Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and unjust gain gathers it for one who is generous to the poor. ⁹If anyone refuses to listen to the law, even his prayer is detestable. ¹⁰Whoever leads the upright astray down an evil path will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit good things. ¹¹A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with understanding sees right through him. ¹²When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people go into hiding. ¹³Whoever conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and turns from them will find mercy. ¹⁴Blessed is the one who always remains reverent, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity. ¹⁵Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. ¹⁶A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but whoever hates unjust gain will prolong his days. ¹⁷A man weighed down by the guilt of bloodshed will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him. ¹⁸Whoever walks in integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall. ¹⁹Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but whoever chases empty pursuits will have plenty of poverty. ²⁰A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever rushes to get rich will not go unpunished. ²¹Showing partiality is not good, yet for a piece of bread a man will do wrong. ²²A stingy man rushes after wealth and does not know that poverty will overtake him. ²³Whoever rebukes a man will in the end find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue. ²⁴Whoever robs his father or mother and says, "It is no sin," is a companion to one who destroys. ²⁵A greedy man stirs up strife, but whoever trusts in our Father will be enriched. ²⁶Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks in wisdom will be kept safe. ²⁷Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but whoever closes his eyes to them will receive many curses. ²⁸When the wicked rise, people go into hiding, but when they perish, the righteous flourish.