Justice, Righteousness, and the Results of Rebellion
Proverbs 28:1-28
1The wicked flee when there is nothing pursuing, yet the righteous trust like a lion.2By the transgression of a land its rulers become many, but a man of understanding who knows what is right prolongs its days.3A great man who is poor and oppresses the poor is rain that prostrates and leaves no food.4Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, whereas those who keep instruction stir themselves up against them.5Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand everything.6Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than one whose ways are twisted, and such a man is rich.7A son who keeps instruction is understanding, but whoever accompanies the vile humiliates his father.8Whoever multiplies his substance by interest and by increment gathers it for the one who is gracious to the poor.9Whoever turns aside his ear from hearing instruction makes his prayer also an abomination.10Whoever misleads the upright in a harmful way will himself fall into his pit, but the unblemished will inherit good.11A rich man is wise in his own eyes, yet a poor man who understands searches him out.12When the righteous rejoice there is great beauty, but when the wicked arise a man is searched out.13Whoever covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them receives compassion.14Blessed is the man who continually dreads, but he who hardens his heart falls into distress.15A roaring lion and a rushing bear represent a wicked ruler over a poor people.16A leader lacking understanding with many oppressions hates unjust gain and thereby prolongs his days.17A man oppressed by the blood of a life flees to the pit; let no one lay hold of him there.18Whoever walks unblemished will be saved, but whoever twists his ways will fall into one of them.19Whoever serves his land will be satisfied with food, but whoever pursues worthless things will be satisfied with poverty.20A man of many faithfulnesses receives many blessings, but whoever hastens to enrich himself will not go unpunished.21Showing partiality is not good, and for a morsel of bread a great man transgresses.22A man with an evil eye is dismayed over substance and does not realize that poverty will come upon him.23Whoever rebukes a man afterwards finds favor rather than one with a smooth tongue.24Whoever plunders his father and his mother and says there is no transgression is a companion to a destroyer.25A broad soul stirs up strife, but whoever trusts in the LORD will prosper.26Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks in wisdom will escape.27Whoever gives to the poor lacks nothing, but whoever shuts his eyes receives many curses.28When the wicked arise a man hides himself, but when they perish the righteous increase.