Proverbs 28

 

1  The wicked flee though no one pursues,

    but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

2 When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
    but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.

3 A ruler who oppresses the poor
    is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
    but those who heed it resist them.

5 Evildoers do not understand what is right,
    but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

6 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
    than the rich whose ways are perverse.

7 A discerning son heeds instruction,
    but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

8 Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor
    amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.

9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
    even their prayers are detestable.

10 Whoever leads the upright along an evil path
    will fall into their own trap,
    but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

11 The rich are wise in their own eyes;
    one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;
    but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.

13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
    but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

14 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
    but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
    is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

16 A tyrannical ruler practices extortion,
    but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.

17 Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder
    will seek refuge in the grave;
    let no one hold them back.

18 The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe,
    but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.

19 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
    but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.

20 A faithful person will be richly blessed,
    but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

21 To show partiality is not good—
    yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.

22 The stingy are eager to get rich
    and are unaware that poverty awaits them.

23 Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor
    rather than one who has a flattering tongue.

24 Whoever robs their father or mother
    and says, “It’s not wrong,”
    is partner to one who destroys.

25 The greedy stir up conflict,
    but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.

26 Those who trust in themselves are fools,
    but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,
    but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.

28 When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;
    but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

Observation Questions

Are the righteous bold as a lion? (verse 1)

Does a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintain order? (verse 2)

Do those who heed instruction resist the wicked? (verse 4)

Who understands what is right? (verse 5)

Is it better to be poor and blameless than rich and perverse? (verse 6)

Does a companion of gluttons disgrace his father? (verse 7)

Are the rich wise in their own eyes? (verse 11)

Do people go into hiding when the wicked rise to power? (verse 12)

If one confesses and renounces their sin, do they find mercy? (verse 13)

Who is called blessed in verse 14?

What will those who work their land have? (verse 19)

Will a faithful person be richly blessed? (verse 20)

Is it not good to show partiality? (verse 21)

What are the stingy unaware of in verse 22?

who gains more favor in the end according to verse 23?

Who is partner to the one who destroys? (verse 24)

Do the greedy stir up conflict? (verse 25)

Who is called a fool in verse 26?

Will those who give to the poor lack anything? (verse 27)

Do the righteous thrive when the wicked perish? (verse 28)