The Bible: Proverbs Chapter 28 - in World English Version with Audio and Chapter Commentary.

Proverbs Chapter 28

1 The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

2 In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.

3 A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.

4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them.

5 Evil men don't understand justice; but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.

6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.

7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.

8 He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.

9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good.

11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

13 He who conceals his sins doesn't prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

14 Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

15 As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.

16 A tyrannical ruler lacks judgement. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.

17 A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death; no one will support him.

18 Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.

19 One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

20 A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

21 To show partiality is not good; yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

22 A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn't know that poverty waits for him.

23 One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favour than one who flatters with the tongue.

24 Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, "It's not wrong," is a partner with a destroyer.

25 One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in the LORD will prosper.

26 One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

27 One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.

28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.

Footnotes

Version: World English Bible

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Proverbs Chapter 28 Guide

Verse Proverbs 28:2. "The transgression of a land" must be understood as the opposite of the "state shall be prolonged." Then the proverb means that a multiplicity of princes is an evil, but men of understanding are a benefit.

Verse Proverbs 28:13. Like Psalms 32:1-11, a remarkable revelation of how far these men saw into the very heart of truth concerning the attitude of God toward the sinner.

Verse Proverbs 28:14. The blessedness of caution. The peril of stubbornness.

Verse Proverbs 28:20. The man who makes fidelity the master principle will be rewarded. He who makes accumulation of wealth the master passion will be punished.

Verse Proverbs 28:27. The latter part of this proverb describes an attitude which is very common, though popularly supposed not to be wrong. To hide the eyes means to refuse to see poverty. It is the sin of those who say they are too sensitive to visit the slums.

From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.

Proverbs Chapter 28 Commentary

Verse 1 Sin makes men cowards. Whatever difficulties the righteous meet in the way of duty, they are not daunted.

Verse 2

National sins disturb the public repose.

Verse 3

If needy persons get opportunities of oppressing, their extortion will be more severe than that of the more wealthy.

Verse 4

Wicked people strengthen one another in wicked ways.

Verse 5

If a man seeks the Lord, it is a good sign that he understands much, and it is a good means of understanding more.

Verse 6

An honest, godly, poor man, is better than a wicked, ungodly, rich man; has more comfort in himself, and is a greater blessing to the world.

Verse 7

Companions of riotous men not only grieve their parents, but shame them.

Verse 8

That which is ill got, though it may increase much, will not last long. Thus the poor are repaid, and God is glorified.

Verse 9

The sinner at whose prayers God is angry, is one who obstinately refuses to obey God's commands.

Verse 10

The success of ungodly men is their own misery.

Verse 11

Rich men are so flattered, that they think themselves superior to others.

Verse 12

There is glory in the land when the righteous have liberty.

Verse 13

It is folly to indulge sin, and excuse it. He who covers his sins, shall not have any true peace. He who humbly confesses his sins, with true repentance and faith, shall find mercy from God. The Son of God is our great atonement. Under a deep sense of our guilt and danger, we may claim salvation from that mercy which reigns through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Verse 14

There is a fear which causes happiness. Faith and love will deliver from the fear of eternal misery; but we should always fear offending God, and fear sinning against him.

Verse 15

A wicked ruler, whatever we may call him, this scripture calls a roaring lion, and a ranging bear.

Verse 16

Oppressors want understanding; they do not consult their own honour, ease, and safety.

Verse 17

The murderer shall be haunted with terrors. None shall desire to save him from deserved punishment, nor pity him.

Verse 18

Uprightness will give men holy security in the worst times; but the false and dishonest are never safe.

Verse 19

Those who are diligent, take the way to live comfortably.

Verse 20

The true way to be happy, is to be holy and honest; not to raise an estate suddenly, without regard to right or wrong.

Verse 21

Judgment is perverted, when any thing but pure right is considered.

Verse 22

He that hastens to be rich, never seriously thinks how quickly God may take his wealth from him, and leave him in poverty.

Verse 23

Upon reflection, most will have a better opinion of a faithful reprover than of a soothing flatterer.

Verse 24

Here is the wickedness of those who think it no sin to rob their parents, by wheedling them or threatening them, or by wasting what they have, and running into debt.

Verse 25

Those make themselves always easy, that live in continual dependence upon God and his grace, and live by faith.

Verse 26

A fool trusts to his own strength, merit, and righteousness. And trusts to his own heart, which is not only deceitful above all things, but which has often deceived him.

Verse 27

A selfish man not only will not look out for objects of compassion, but will look off from those that call for his attention.

Verse 28

When power is put into the hands of the wicked, wise men decline public business. If the reader will go diligently over this and the other chapters, in many places where at first he may suppose there is least of Christ, still he will find what will lead to him.

From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.

The Bible: Proverbs Chapter 28: with Audio and Commentary.