September 15

28:1 The wicked flee when no one pursues,
 but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 When a land transgresses, it has many rulers,
 but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
 its stability will long continue.
3 A poor man 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 strive against them.
5 Evil men do not understand justice,
 but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.
6 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
 than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
7 The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
 but a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit [1]
 gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.
9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
 even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way
 will fall into his own pit,
 but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes,
 but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
 but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
 but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14 Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always,
 but whoever hardens his heart 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 he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 If one is burdened with the blood of another,
 he will be a fugitive until death; [2]
 let no one help him.
18 Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered,
 but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.
19 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
 but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 A faithful man will abound with blessings,
 but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is not good,
 but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 A stingy man [3] hastens after wealth
 and does not know that poverty will come upon him.
23 Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
 than he who flatters with his tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother
 and says, “That is no transgression,”
 is a companion to a man who destroys.
25 A greedy man stirs up strife,
 but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,
 but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
27 Whoever gives to the poor will not want,
 but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.
28 When the wicked rise, people hide themselves,
 but when they perish, the righteous increase.
29:1 He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
 will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
 but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
 but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king builds up the land,
 but he who exacts gifts [4] tears it down.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor
 spreads a net for his feet.
6 An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,
 but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
7 A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;
 a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
8 Scoffers set a city aflame,
 but the wise turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
 the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless
 and seek the life of the upright. [5]
11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
 but a wise man quietly holds it back.
12 If a ruler listens to falsehood,
 all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together;
 the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king faithfully judges the poor,
 his throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom,
 but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
 but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
 he will give delight to your heart.
18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, [6]
 but blessed is he who keeps the law.
19 By mere words a servant is not disciplined,
 for though he understands, he will not respond.
20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
 There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 Whoever pampers his servant from childhood
 will in the end find him his heir. [7]
22 A man of wrath stirs up strife,
 and one given to anger causes much transgression.
23 One’s pride will bring him low,
 but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
24 The partner of a thief hates his own life;
 he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
25 The fear of man lays a snare,
 but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
26 Many seek the face of a ruler,
 but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
 but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.