Proverbs Chapter 28
KJV — King James Version · 28 verses
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Spiritual Insight
The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. A clear conscience gives you courage that nothing else can.
For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
Spiritual Insight
When a land sins, it has many rulers, but with a person of understanding and knowledge, stability lasts. Wise leadership brings order; its absence creates chaos.
A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
Spiritual Insight
A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food. Power without compassion destroys what it should protect.
They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
Spiritual Insight
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them. Your relationship with truth determines whose side you're on.
Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
Spiritual Insight
Evil people don't understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully. God's perspective clarifies what selfishness obscures.
Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
Spiritual Insight
Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are crooked. Integrity without wealth beats wealth without integrity.
Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
Spiritual Insight
A discerning child heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces their father. The company you keep either honors or shames your family.
He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
Spiritual Insight
Whoever increases wealth by charging interest gathers it for someone who will be generous to the poor. Ill-gotten gain has a way of ending up in the right hands.
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
Spiritual Insight
If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even their prayers are detestable. Ignoring God's ways and then asking for His help is deeply inconsistent.
Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
Spiritual Insight
Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive good. Trying to corrupt the good backfires every time.
The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
Spiritual Insight
The rich are wise in their own eyes, but the poor who have discernment see through them. Money can't buy the insight that comes from humility.
When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
Spiritual Insight
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide. Good leadership invites people to flourish; bad leadership drives them into hiding.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Spiritual Insight
Whoever conceals their sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Honesty about failure is the doorway to grace.
Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
Spiritual Insight
Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. A soft heart before God is a protected heart.
As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
Spiritual Insight
Like a roaring lion or charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. Power without compassion terrorizes those it should serve.
The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
Spiritual Insight
A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment — one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy long days. Greed in leadership shortens everything it touches.
A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
Spiritual Insight
Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will be a fugitive till death — don't let anyone support them. Some sins carry consequences that follow you to the grave.
Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
Spiritual Insight
Whose walk is blameless will be kept safe, but whose ways are crooked will suddenly fall. Integrity is the safest path, even when it doesn't look like it.
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
Spiritual Insight
Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty. Practical diligence beats wishful thinking every time.
A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
Spiritual Insight
The faithful will abound with blessings, but those eager to get rich will not go unpunished. Patient faithfulness opens doors that haste slams shut.
To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
Spiritual Insight
To show partiality is not good — yet some will do wrong for a piece of bread. Even small temptations can corrupt those who aren't vigilant.
He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
Spiritual Insight
The stingy are eager to get rich and don't realize that poverty awaits them. Greed blinds you to the very thing you're running toward.
He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
Spiritual Insight
Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain more favor than one with a flattering tongue. Honest correction earns deeper respect than empty praise.
Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
Spiritual Insight
Whoever robs their parents and says 'It's not wrong' is partner to one who destroys. Even family obligations carry moral weight.
He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
Spiritual Insight
The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper. Trusting God for provision frees you from the anxiety that breeds strife.
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
Spiritual Insight
Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. Self-reliance is a fragile foundation; God-reliance is unshakable.
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
Spiritual Insight
Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes receive many curses. Generosity is not a loss — it's an investment.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Spiritual Insight
When the wicked rise, people hide; when they perish, the righteous increase. Bad leadership suppresses flourishing, but its removal unleashes growth.