New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Proverbs 28
1
Sinners run away even when no one is chasing them. But those who do what is right are as bold as lions.
Reference
2
A country has many rulers when its people don't obey. But an understanding king knows how to keep order.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Kings 15:28
3
A ruler who beats poor people down is like a pounding rain that leaves no crops.
4
Those who turn away from the law praise sinners. But those who obey the law oppose them.
Reference
Evil
Psalm 10:3
Parallel theme
Romans 1:32
Ephesians 5:11
Acts 15:2
1 John 4:5
Resurrection
Matthew 3:7
Psalm 49:18
Word
Matthew 14:4
1 Kings 18:18
1 Kings 18:21
5
Sinful men don't understand what is fair. But those who worship the Lord understand it completely.
Reference
6
It is better to be poor and live without blame than to be rich and follow a crooked path.
Reference
7
A child who obeys the law understands what is right. But a child who likes to eat too much brings shame on his father.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 29:3
8
A person who increases his wealth by charging high interest piles it up for someone who will be kind to poor people.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ecclesiastes 2:26
Leviticus 25:36
Exodus 22:25
Ezekiel 18:17
Proverbs 14:31
Ezekiel 18:13
Ezekiel 18:8
Righteousness
Proverbs 13:22
10
Those who lead honest people down an evil path will fall into their own trap. But those who are without blame will receive good things.
Reference
11
Rich people may be wise in their own eyes. But a poor person who understands what is right knows what they are really like.
Reference
12
When godly people win, everyone is very happy. But when sinners take charge, everyone hides.
Reference
13
Anyone who hides his sins doesn't succeed. But anyone who admits his sins and gives them up finds mercy.
Reference
14
Blessed is the one who always has respect for the Lord. But anyone who is stubborn will get into trouble.
Reference
16
A ruler who is mean to his people doesn't have any sense. But anyone who hates money gained in the wrong way will enjoy a long life.
17
A man who is troubled because he is guilty of murder will be on the run until the day he dies. No one should give him any help.
Reference
18
Anyone who lives without blame is kept safe. But anyone whose path is crooked will suddenly fall.
Reference
19
Anyone who farms his land will have plenty of food. But anyone who chases dreams will be very poor.
Reference
20
A faithful man will be richly blessed. But anyone who wants to get rich will be punished.
Reference
Blessing
Proverbs 20:21
Faith
Revelation 2:10
Psalm 101:6
Nehemiah 7:2
Revelation 2:13
Parallel theme
Proverbs 13:11
Proverbs 28:22
Proverbs 23:4
Proverbs 17:5
Sin
Proverbs 10:6
21
Favoring one person over another is not good. But some men will do wrong for a piece of bread.
Reference
22
A man who won't share what he has wants to get rich. He doesn't know he is going to be poor.
Reference
23
It is better to warn a man than to pretend to praise him. In the end he will be more pleased with you.
Reference
24
Anyone who steals from his parents and says, "It's not wrong," is just like a man who destroys.
Reference
25
A person who always wants more stirs up fights. But anyone who trusts in the Lord will succeed.
Reference
Creation
Proverbs 11:25
Proverbs 13:4
Faith
Psalm 84:12
Proverbs 29:25
Parallel theme
Proverbs 10:12
Proverbs 13:10
1 Timothy 6:6
Proverbs 29:22
Proverbs 15:18
Proverbs 21:24
26
Anyone who trusts in himself is foolish. But a person who lives wisely is kept safe.
Reference
Faith
Proverbs 3:5
2 Timothy 3:15
Parallel theme
Job 28:28
Jeremiah 17:9
Romans 8:7
James 1:5
2 Kings 8:13
27
Those who give to poor people will have everything they need. But those who close their eyes to the poor will be under many curses.
Reference
Curse
Proverbs 11:26
Parallel theme
Proverbs 19:17
Proverbs 11:24
Deuteronomy 15:7
Deuteronomy 15:10
Proverbs 22:9
Summary of Proverbs 28
Proverbs 28 presents a strong contrast between a life built on righteousness and a life built on dishonesty, greed, and injustice.
The chapter begins with the idea that a person's character affects his sense of security. Someone who lives wrongly may become fearful even when there is no immediate danger, while a person who lives uprightly can have greater confidence because he does not constantly fear being exposed.
Much of the chapter then turns toward leadership and justice. When rulers lack understanding or use their position for personal advantage, ordinary people suffer. Good leadership, however, creates stability and gives people a greater sense of security. The chapter therefore shows that the character of a leader does not affect only the leader; it can influence an entire community.
Another important theme is the treatment of people who are poor or vulnerable. Proverbs warns against exploiting people who already have little and praises those who are willing to help them. Wealth gained through dishonest methods is presented as unstable, while generosity and fairness are connected with lasting blessing.
The chapter also makes an important distinction between wealth and wisdom. A wealthy person may believe that his success proves he is wise, but money cannot guarantee good judgment. Someone with very little may understand life more clearly than someone who has accumulated great possessions. What matters most is not how much a person owns but how he chooses to live.
One of the strongest ideas in the chapter concerns admitting wrongdoing. A person who hides his sins cannot properly deal with them, because the problem remains beneath the surface. Someone who openly acknowledges his wrongdoing and turns away from it, however, can receive mercy. The chapter therefore presents honesty about one's own failures as an important part of wisdom.
Proverbs 28 also warns about the desire to become rich quickly. Greed can cause a person to compromise justice, take advantage of others, make reckless decisions, or place money above character. Wealth itself is not condemned, but the uncontrolled pursuit of wealth can gradually lead a person away from what is right.
The chapter repeatedly encourages honest work and responsible living. A person who works faithfully can expect the results of his effort, while someone who continually wastes his opportunities may eventually experience poverty. Wisdom therefore includes patience and discipline rather than constantly searching for shortcuts.
Another important lesson is the value of correction. Someone who only wants praise may continue making the same mistakes, while a person who accepts honest criticism has an opportunity to improve. True wisdom requires humility because no one sees everything perfectly.
The chapter also warns against trusting one's own judgment completely. A person who believes that he is always right can easily become trapped by his own mistakes. A wiser person remains willing to listen, learn, and seek guidance.
Throughout the chapter, small decisions are shown to have larger consequences. A person may compromise justice for a small reward, tell a small lie, take something that does not belong to him, or ignore someone in need. These choices may seem insignificant individually, but repeated compromises gradually shape a person's character.
Proverbs 28 therefore describes righteousness as something demonstrated through ordinary choices: telling the truth, working honestly, accepting correction, helping the vulnerable, resisting greed, admitting mistakes, and refusing to take advantage of others.
The chapter ultimately presents two different ways of living. One is characterized by fear, dishonesty, greed, injustice, and instability. The other is characterized by courage, fairness, humility, responsibility, and trust in God.
The central message is that true security does not come from wealth, power, or appearance. It comes from having a life built on integrity.
A person who lives honestly may not always be wealthy or successful, but he can walk with greater confidence because he is not constantly protecting a false image or hiding dishonest actions.
Proverbs 28 therefore encourages a life in which character is more important than possessions, truth is more valuable than temporary advantage, and righteousness is more secure than wealth gained through wrongdoing.
The chapter begins with the idea that a person's character affects his sense of security. Someone who lives wrongly may become fearful even when there is no immediate danger, while a person who lives uprightly can have greater confidence because he does not constantly fear being exposed.
Much of the chapter then turns toward leadership and justice. When rulers lack understanding or use their position for personal advantage, ordinary people suffer. Good leadership, however, creates stability and gives people a greater sense of security. The chapter therefore shows that the character of a leader does not affect only the leader; it can influence an entire community.
Another important theme is the treatment of people who are poor or vulnerable. Proverbs warns against exploiting people who already have little and praises those who are willing to help them. Wealth gained through dishonest methods is presented as unstable, while generosity and fairness are connected with lasting blessing.
The chapter also makes an important distinction between wealth and wisdom. A wealthy person may believe that his success proves he is wise, but money cannot guarantee good judgment. Someone with very little may understand life more clearly than someone who has accumulated great possessions. What matters most is not how much a person owns but how he chooses to live.
One of the strongest ideas in the chapter concerns admitting wrongdoing. A person who hides his sins cannot properly deal with them, because the problem remains beneath the surface. Someone who openly acknowledges his wrongdoing and turns away from it, however, can receive mercy. The chapter therefore presents honesty about one's own failures as an important part of wisdom.
Proverbs 28 also warns about the desire to become rich quickly. Greed can cause a person to compromise justice, take advantage of others, make reckless decisions, or place money above character. Wealth itself is not condemned, but the uncontrolled pursuit of wealth can gradually lead a person away from what is right.
The chapter repeatedly encourages honest work and responsible living. A person who works faithfully can expect the results of his effort, while someone who continually wastes his opportunities may eventually experience poverty. Wisdom therefore includes patience and discipline rather than constantly searching for shortcuts.
Another important lesson is the value of correction. Someone who only wants praise may continue making the same mistakes, while a person who accepts honest criticism has an opportunity to improve. True wisdom requires humility because no one sees everything perfectly.
The chapter also warns against trusting one's own judgment completely. A person who believes that he is always right can easily become trapped by his own mistakes. A wiser person remains willing to listen, learn, and seek guidance.
Throughout the chapter, small decisions are shown to have larger consequences. A person may compromise justice for a small reward, tell a small lie, take something that does not belong to him, or ignore someone in need. These choices may seem insignificant individually, but repeated compromises gradually shape a person's character.
Proverbs 28 therefore describes righteousness as something demonstrated through ordinary choices: telling the truth, working honestly, accepting correction, helping the vulnerable, resisting greed, admitting mistakes, and refusing to take advantage of others.
The chapter ultimately presents two different ways of living. One is characterized by fear, dishonesty, greed, injustice, and instability. The other is characterized by courage, fairness, humility, responsibility, and trust in God.
The central message is that true security does not come from wealth, power, or appearance. It comes from having a life built on integrity.
A person who lives honestly may not always be wealthy or successful, but he can walk with greater confidence because he is not constantly protecting a false image or hiding dishonest actions.
Proverbs 28 therefore encourages a life in which character is more important than possessions, truth is more valuable than temporary advantage, and righteousness is more secure than wealth gained through wrongdoing.