General observations of impiety and religious integrity.

28:1 The wicked flee when no one pursues;
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

28:2 In rebellion, a land has many rulers,
but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.

28:3 A needy man who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.

28:4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked;
but those who keep the law contend with them.

28:5 Evil men don’t understand justice;
but those who seek Yahweh understand it fully.

Isaiah 55:6

28:6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity,
than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.

28:7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son;
but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.

28:8 He who increases his wealth by excessive interest
gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.

28:9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
even his prayer is an abomination.

28:10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,
he will fall into his own trap;
but the blameless will inherit good.

28:11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes;
but the poor who has understanding sees through him.

28:12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory;
but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

28:13 He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper,
but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

28:14 Blessed is the man who always fears;
but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

28:15 As a roaring lion or a charging bear,
so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.

28:16 A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment.
One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.

28:17 A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death;
no one will support him.

28:18 Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe;
but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.

28:19 One who works his land will have an abundance of food;
but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

28:20 A faithful man is rich with blessings;
but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

28:21 To show partiality is not good;
yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

28:22 A stingy man hurries after riches,
and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.

28:23 One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
than one who flatters with the tongue.

28:24 Whoever robs his father or his mother, and says, “It’s not wrong.”
He is a partner with a destroyer.

28:25 One who is greedy stirs up strife;
but one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.

28:26 One who trusts in himself is a fool;
but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

28:27 One who gives to the poor has no lack;
but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.

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