28:1  THE WICKED flee when no man pursues them, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous are bold as a lion.

28:2  When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when the ruler is a man of discernment, understanding, {and} knowledge, its stability will long continue.

28:3  A poor man who oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food [plundering them of their last morsels].

28:4  Those who forsake the law [of God and man] praise the wicked, but those who keep the law [of God and man] contend with them.

28:5  Evil men do not understand justice, but they who crave {and} seek the Lord understand it fully.

28:6  Better is the poor man who walks in his integrity than he who willfully goes in double {and} wrong ways, though he is rich.

28:7  Whoever keeps the law [of God and man] is a wise son, but he who is a companion of gluttons {and} the carousing, self-indulgent, {and} extravagant shames his father.

28:8  He who by charging excessive interest {and} who by unjust efforts to get gain increases his material possession gathers it for him [to spend] who is kind {and} generous to the poor.

28:9  He who turns away his ear from hearing the law [of God and man], even his prayer is an abomination, hateful {and} revolting [to God].

28:10  Whoever leads the upright astray into an evil way, he will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.

28:11  The rich man is wise in his own eyes {and} conceit, but the poor man who has understanding will find him out.

28:12  When the [uncompromisingly] righteous triumph, there is great glory {and} celebration; but when the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves.

28:13  He who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sins will obtain mercy.

28:14  Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is the man who reverently {and} worshipfully fears [the Lord] at all times [regardless of circumstances], but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

28:15  Like a roaring lion or a ravenous {and} charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

28:16  A ruler who lacks understanding is [like a wicked one] a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness {and} unjust gain shall prolong his days.

28:17  If a man willfully sheds the blood of a person [and keeps the guilt of murder upon his conscience], he is fleeing to the pit (the grave) {and} hastening to his own destruction; let no man stop him!

28:18  He who walks uprightly shall be safe, but he who willfully goes in double {and} wrong ways shall fall in one of them.

28:19  He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless people {and} pursuits will have poverty enough.

28:20  A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich [at any cost] shall not go unpunished.

28:21  To have respect of persons {and} to show partiality is not good, neither is it good that man should transgress for a piece of bread.

28:22  He who has an evil {and} covetous eye hastens to be rich and knows not that want will come upon him.

28:23  He who rebukes a man shall afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.

28:24  Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, This is no sin--he is in the same class as [an open, lawless robber and] a destroyer.

28:25  He who is of a greedy spirit stirs up strife, but he who puts his trust in the Lord shall be enriched {and} blessed.

28:26  He who leans on, trusts in, {and} is confident of his own mind {and} heart is a [self-confident] fool, but he who walks in skillful {and} godly Wisdom shall be delivered.

28:27  He who gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes [from their want] will have many a curse.

28:28  When the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves; but when they perish, the [consistently] righteous increase {and} become many.