Proverbs 28:1-14

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

28 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 ruler
    there is lasting order.^[a]
3 A ruler^[b] 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 triumph, 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.