Proverbs 28

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 The wicked flees when no one is pursuing, the upright is bold as a lion.	1 The wicked man flees although no one pursues him; but the just man, like a lion, feels sure of himself.
2 A country in revolt throws up many leaders: with one person wise and experienced, you have stability.	2 If a land is rebellious, its princes will be many; but with a prudent man it knows security.
3 The wicked oppresses the weak: here is a devastating rain -- and farewell, bread!	3 A rich man who oppresses the poor is like a devastating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who forsake the law sing the praises of the wicked, those who observe the law are angered bythem.	4 Those who abandon the law praise the wicked man, but those who keep the law war against him.
5 The wicked do not know what justice means, those who seek Yahweh understand everything.	5 Evil men understand nothing of justice, but those who seek the LORD understand all.
6 Better someone poor living an honest life than someone of devious ways however rich.	6 Better a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is crooked in his ways and rich.
7 An intel igent child is one who keeps the Law; an associate of profligates brings shame on his father.	7 He who keeps the law is a wise son, but the gluttons' companion disgraces his father.
8 Whoever increases wealth by usury and interest amasses it for someone else who will bestow it on thepoor.	8 He who increases his wealth by interest and overcharge gathers it for him who is kind to the poor.
9 Whoever refuses to listen to the Law, such a one's very prayer is an abomination.	9 When one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever seduces the honest to evil ways wil fal into his own pit. The blameless are the heirs tohappiness.	10 He who seduces the upright into an evil way will himself fall into his own pit. (And blameless men will gain prosperity.)
11 The rich may think himself wise, but the intelligent poor wil unmask him.	11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who is intelligent sees through him.
12 When the upright triumph, there is great exultation: when the wicked are in the ascendant, peopletake cover.	12 When the just are triumphant, there is great jubilation; but when the wicked gain preeminence, people hide.
13 No one who conceals his sins will prosper, whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.	13 He who conceals his sins prospers not, but he who confesses and forsakes them obtains mercy.
14 Blessed the person who is never without fear, whoever hardens his heart will fal into distress.	14 Happy the man who is always on his guard; but he who hardens his heart will fall into evil.
15 Like a roaring lion or a springing bear is a wicked ruler of a powerless people.	15 Like a roaring lion or a ravenous bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 An unenlightened ruler is rich in rapacity, one who hates greed wil lengthen his days.	16 The less prudent the prince, the more his deeds oppress. He who hates ill-gotten gain prolongs his days.
17 A man guilty of murder wil flee till he reaches his tomb: let no one halt him!	17 Though a man burdened with human blood were to flee to the grave, none should support him.
18 Whoever lives an honest life wil be safe, whoever wavers between two ways falls down in one ofthem.	18 He who walks uprightly is safe, but he whose ways are crooked falls into the pit.
19 Whoever works his land shall have bread and to spare, but no one who chases fantasies has anysense.	19 He who cultivates his land will have plenty of food, but from idle pursuits a man has his fill of poverty.
20 A trustworthy person wil be overwhelmed with blessings, but no one who tries to get rich quickly wilgo unpunished.	20 The trustworthy man will be richly blessed; he who is in haste to grow rich will not go unpunished.
21 It is not good to show partiality, but people will do wrong for a mouthful of bread.	21 To show partiality is never good: for even a morsel of bread a man may do wrong.
22 The person of greedy eye chases after wealth, not knowing that want wil be the result.	22 The avaricious man is perturbed about his wealth, and he knows not when want will come upon him.
23 Anyone who reproves another wil enjoy more favour in the end than the flatterer.	23 He who rebukes a man gets more thanks in the end than one with a flattering tongue.
24 Whoever robs father and mother saying, 'Nothing wrong in that!' is comrade for a brigand.	24 He who defrauds father or mother and calls it no sin, is a partner of the brigand.
25 The covetous provokes disputes, whoever trusts in Yahweh wil prosper.	25 The greedy man stirs up disputes, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
26 Whoever trusts his own wit is a fool, anyone whose ways are wise wil be safe.	26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is safe.
27 No one who gives to the poor wil ever go short, but whoever closes his eyes will have curses inplenty.	27 He who gives to the poor suffers no want, but he who ignores them gets many a curse.
28 When the wicked are in the ascendant, people take cover, but when they perish, the upright multiply.	28 When the wicked gain pre-eminence, other men hide; but at their fall the just flourish.