Sprüche 28 | New International Reader’s Version

1 Sinners run away even when no one is chasing them. But those who do what is right are as bold as lions. 2 A country has many rulers when its people don’t obey. But an understanding ruler knows how to keep order. 3 A ruler who treats poor people badly is like a pounding rain that leaves no crops. 4 Those who turn away from instruction praise sinners. But those who learn from it oppose them. 5 Sinful people don’t understand what is right. But those who worship the LORD understand it completely. 6 It is better to be poor and live without blame than to be rich and follow a crooked path. 7 A child who understands what is right learns from instruction. But a child who likes to eat too much brings shame on his father. 8 Someone might get rich by taking interest or profit from poor people. But that person only piles up wealth for someone who will be kind to poor people. 9 If you don’t pay attention to my instruction, even your prayers are hated. 10 Those who lead honest people down an evil path will fall into their own trap. But those who are without blame will receive good things. 11 Rich people may think they are wise. But a poor person with understanding knows that rich people are fooling themselves. 12 When godly people win, everyone is very happy. But when sinners take charge, everyone hides. 13 Anyone who hides their sins doesn’t succeed. But anyone who admits their sins and gives them up finds mercy. 14 Blessed is the one who always trembles in front of God. But anyone who makes their heart stubborn will get into trouble. 15 An evil person who rules over helpless people is like a roaring lion or an angry bear. 16 A ruler who is mean to his people takes money from them by force. But one who hates money gained in the wrong way will rule a long time. 17 Anyone troubled by the guilt of murder will seek to escape their guilt by death. No one should keep them from it. 18 Anyone who lives without blame is kept safe. But anyone whose path is crooked will fall into the pit. 19 Those who work their land will have plenty of food. But those who chase dreams will be very poor. 20 A faithful person will be richly blessed. But anyone who wants to get rich will be punished. 21 Favouring one person over another is not good. But a person will do wrong for a piece of bread. 22 Those who won’t share what they have want to get rich. They don’t know they are going to be poor. 23 It is better to warn a person than to pretend to praise them. In the end that person will be more pleased with you. 24 Anyone who steals from their parents and says, ‘It’s not wrong,’ is just like someone who destroys. 25 People who always want more stir up conflict. But those who trust in the LORD will succeed. 26 Those who trust in themselves are foolish. But those who live wisely are kept safe. 27 Those who give to poor people will have all they need. But those who close their eyes to the poor will receive many curses. 28 When those who are evil take charge, other people hide. But when those who are evil die, godly people grow stronger.

English Standard Version

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.

Sprüche 28 | New International Reader’s Version English Standard Version