Bethany Well

Prov. 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

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;

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 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.