The Righteous are Bold as Lions
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. 2 When a land rebels it has many rulers; but with an intelligent person, honesty endures. 3 A poor person who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food. 4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law struggle against them. 5 The evil do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely. 6 Better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be crooked in one’s ways even though rich. 7 Those who keep the law are wise children, but companions of gluttons shame their parents. 8 One who augments wealth by exorbitant interest gathers it for another who is kind to the poor. 9 When one will not listen to the law, even one’s prayers are an abomination. 10 Those who mislead the upright into evil ways will fall into pits of their own making, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance. 11 The rich is wise in self-esteem, but an intelligent poor person sees through the pose. 12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory, but when the wicked prevail, people go into hiding. 13 No one who conceals transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. 14 Happy is the one who is never without fear, but one who is hard-hearted will fall into calamity. 15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. 16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but one who hates unjust gain will enjoy a long life. 17 If someone is burdened with the blood of another, let that killer be a fugitive until death; let no one offer assistance. 18 One who walks in integrity will be safe, but whoever follows crooked ways will fall into the Pit. 19 Anyone who tills the land will have plenty of bread, but one who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty. 20 The faithful will abound with blessings, but one who is in a hurry to be rich will not go unpunished. 21 To show partiality is not good, yet for a piece of bread a person may do wrong. 22 The miser is in a hurry to get rich and does not know that loss is sure to come. 23 Whoever rebukes a person will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue. 24 Anyone who robs father or mother and says, “That is no crime,” is partner to a thug. 25 The greedy person stirs up strife, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be enriched. 26 Those who trust in their own wits are fools, but those who walk in wisdom come through safely. 27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but one who turns a blind eye will get many a curse. 28 When the wicked prevail, people go into hiding, but when they perish, the righteous increase. — Proverbs 28 | New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE) New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved worldwide. Cross References: Genesis 9:6; Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 26:17; 1 Kings 16:8; Job 24:4; Psalm 35:10; Psalm 95:8; Proverbs 2:12; Proverbs 3:7; Proverbs 10:9; Proverbs 11:10; Proverbs 11:24; Proverbs 12:11; Proverbs 14:2; Proverbs 21:5; Proverbs 24:25; Proverbs 29:3; Ecclesiastes 10:16; Ezekiel 13:19; Matthew 18:28; John 7:17; John 9:31; Ephesians 5:11; 1 Timothy 6:6; 1 Timothy 6:9; Hebrews 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 1:9
