11 The rich person is (A)wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding [a]sees through him.
12 When the (B)righteous triumph, there is great glory,
But (C)when the wicked rise, people [b]hide themselves.
13 One who (D)conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper,
But one who (E)confesses and abandons them will find compassion.
14 How blessed is the person who (F)fears always,
But one who (G)hardens his heart will fall into disaster.
15 Like a (H)roaring lion and a rushing bear
Is a (I)wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A (J)leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding,
But a person who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 A person who is (K)burdened with the guilt of human blood
Will [c]be a fugitive until death; no one is to support him!
18 One who walks blamelessly will receive help,
But one who is [d](L)crooked will fall all at once.
19 (M)One who works his land will (N)have plenty of food,
But one who follows empty pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 A (O)faithful person will abound with blessings,
But one who (P)hurries to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 To [e](Q)show partiality is not good,
(R)Because for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:11 Lit examines him
  2. Proverbs 28:12 Lit will be searched for
  3. Proverbs 28:17 Lit flee to the pit
  4. Proverbs 28:18 Lit perverse of two ways
  5. Proverbs 28:21 Lit regard the face

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;(A)
    but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.(B)

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

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(F) in the grave;
    let no one hold them back.

18 The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe,(G)
    but the one whose ways are perverse will fall(H) into the pit.[a]

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

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

21 To show partiality(K) is not good(L)
    yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.(M)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:18 Syriac (see Septuagint); Hebrew into one