Proverbs 28
1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 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.
3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
10 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.
11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
21 To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
World Behind This Chapter
Explore the people, places, language, history, and material world connected to Proverbs 28.
Why does Proverbs 28 speak so often about Torah or law?
Several sayings use תּוֹרָה in relation to hearing, keeping, forsaking, and prayer. The chapter shows wisdom discourse interacting explicitly with instruction/law vocabulary.
How does Proverbs 28 treat wealth and poverty?
The chapter can praise hard work while condemning exploitation, unjust gain, bribery, and ignoring the poor. Its economic ethics are more complex than 'rich equals wise.'
What does 'he that covereth his sins shall not prosper' mean in wisdom form?
The saying contrasts concealment with confession and abandonment of wrongdoing. It is a general moral observation, not a claim that every hidden wrong will become publicly known on a predictable timetable.
WORTH A CLOSER LOOK
תּוֹרָה (torah) — instruction / law
Proverbs 28 repeatedly connects wisdom with hearing and keeping Torah. Following the Hebrew term here shows its role beyond the Pentateuch's legal sections.
Explore the HebrewResearch PathsCurated links for exploring this chapter 3
History & Daily Life1
- Debt Slavery and Poverty in Ancient IsraelTheTorah.com
Explains how crop failure, poverty, and unpaid debt could force ancient Israelites to sell their labor or enter debt servitude. This social background illuminates Proverbs 28’s warnings about rulers who oppress the poor, wealth gained through exploitative lending, neglect of vulnerable people, and the responsibility to give generously rather than hide from need.
Language & Literature2
- Concealing Wrongdoing, Confession, and MercyTranslation Insights and Perspectives
Examines Proverbs 28:13 and the contrast between concealing wrongdoing and openly acknowledging and abandoning it. The saying combines legal, ethical, and wisdom language and closely resembles the movement from silence to confession found in Psalm 32.
- Proverbs 28 in Hebrew and EnglishMechon Mamre
Presents the Hebrew chapter beside an English translation. Useful for tracing its repeated themes of law, justice, poverty, rulers, wealth, confession, partiality, generosity, agricultural work, fear, trust, and the relationship between public leadership and social stability.
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