Chapter 28

T¹he wicked flee when no one pursues, ²A land in rebellion has many rulers, ³A destitute leader who oppresses the poor ⁴Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, ⁵Evil men do not understand justice, ⁶Better a poor man who walks with integrity

⁷A discerning son keeps the law, ⁸He who increases his wealth by interest and usury ⁹Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, ¹⁰He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, ¹¹A rich man is wise in his own eyes, ¹²When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,

¹³He who conceals his sins will not prosper, ¹⁴Blessed is the man who is always reverent, ¹⁵Like a roaring lion or a charging bear ¹⁶A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, ¹⁷A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; ¹⁸He who walks with integrity will be kept safe,

¹⁹The one who works his land will have plenty of food, ²⁰A faithful man will abound with blessings, ²¹To show partiality is not good, ²²A stingy man hastens after wealth ²³He who rebukes a man will later find more favor ²⁴He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,”

²⁵A greedy man stirs up strife, ²⁶He who trusts in himself is a fool, ²⁷Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, ²⁸When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves;