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Proverbs 28

BSB·28 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1The wickedרָשָׁ֑עrā·šā‘ — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → fleeנָ֣סוּnā·sū — to flee, escape, or run awayH5127 — Full Word Study → when no oneוְאֵין־wə·’ên- — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → pursuesרֹדֵ֣ףrō·ḏêp̄ — to pursue, chase, or persecuteH7291 — Full Word Study →, but the righteousוְ֝צַדִּיקִ֗יםwə·ṣad·dî·qîm — Righteous, just person; one who is right with GodH6662 — Full Word Study → are as boldיִבְטָֽח׃yiḇ·ṭāḥ — to trust, rely on, have confidenceH982 — Full Word Study → as a lionכִּכְפִ֥ירkiḵ·p̄îr — Young lion; fierce strength and dangerH3715 — Full Word Study →. 2A landאֶ֭רֶץ’e·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → in rebellionבְּפֶ֣שַֽׁעbə·p̄e·ša‘ — Willful rebellion or transgression against God's lawH6588 — Full Word Study → has manyרַבִּ֣יםrab·bîm — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → rulersשָׂרֶ֑יהָśā·re·hā — Ruler, leader, or one in authorityH8269 — Full Word Study →, but a manוּבְאָדָ֥םū·ḇə·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → of understandingמֵבִ֥יןmê·ḇîn — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study → and knowledge maintains orderיַאֲרִֽיךְ׃ya·’ă·rîḵ — to lengthen, prolong, or extend in time or spaceH748 — Full Word Study →. 3A destituteרָ֭שׁrāš — To be poor, lack, or become destituteH7326 — Full Word Study → leaderגֶּ֣בֶרge·ḇer — Man, mighty man, strong manH1397 — Full Word Study → who oppressesוְעֹשֵׁ֣קwə·‘ō·šêq — To oppress, defraud, or exploitH6231 — Full Word Study → the poorדַּלִּ֑יםdal·lîm — poor, needy, weakH1800 — Full Word Study → is like a drivingסֹ֝חֵ֗ףsō·ḥêp̄ — to sweep away, carry off, overwhelmH5502 — Full Word Study → rainמָטָ֥רmā·ṭār — Rain; rainfall; precipitation from heavenH4306 — Full Word Study → that leaves noוְאֵ֣יןwə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → foodלָֽחֶם׃lā·ḥem — Bread; food; sustenanceH3899 — Full Word Study →. 4Those who forsakeעֹזְבֵ֣י‘ō·zə·ḇê — to abandon, forsake, or leave behindH5800 — Full Word Study → the lawת֭וֹרָהṯō·w·rāh — instruction, teaching, law, guidanceH8451 — Full Word Study → praiseיְהַֽלְל֣וּyə·hal·lū — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study → the wickedרָשָׁ֑עrā·šā‘ — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study →, but those who keepוְשֹׁמְרֵ֥יwə·šō·mə·rê — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → the lawת֝וֹרָ֗הṯō·w·rāh — instruction, teaching, law, guidanceH8451 — Full Word Study → resistיִתְגָּ֥רוּyiṯ·gā·rū — to stir up, provoke, contendH1624 — Full Word Study → them. 5Evilרָ֭עrā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → menאַנְשֵׁי־’an·šê- — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → do notלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → understandיָבִ֣ינוּyā·ḇî·nū — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study → justiceמִשְׁפָּ֑טmiš·pāṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study →, but those who seekוּמְבַקְשֵׁ֥יū·mə·ḇaq·šê — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְ֝הוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → comprehendיָבִ֥ינוּyā·ḇî·nū — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study → fullyכֹֽל׃ḵōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study →. 6Betterטֽוֹב־ṭō·wḇ- — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → a poor manרָ֭שׁrāš — To be poor, lack, or become destituteH7326 — Full Word Study → who walksהוֹלֵ֣ךְhō·w·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → with integrityבְּתֻמּ֑וֹbə·ṯum·mōw — Integrity, completeness, wholeness, uprightnessH8537 — Full Word Study → than a rich manעָשִֽׁיר׃‘ā·šîr — A wealthy or rich person; one possessing abundant resourcesH6223 — Full Word Study → whose waysדְּ֝רָכַ֗יִםdə·rā·ḵa·yim — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → are perverseמֵעִקֵּ֥שׁmê·‘iq·qêš — Crooked, perverse, morally twistedH6141 — Full Word Study →. 7A discerningמֵבִ֑יןmê·ḇîn — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study → sonבֵּ֣ןbên — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → keepsנוֹצֵ֣רnō·w·ṣêr — to guard, watch, keep, preserveH5341 — Full Word Study → the lawתּ֭וֹרָהtō·w·rāh — instruction, teaching, law, guidanceH8451 — Full Word Study →, but a companionוְרֹעֶהwə·rō·‘eh — to shepherd; to tend, feed, or pasture a flockH7462 — Full Word Study → of gluttonsזֽ֝וֹלְלִ֗יםzō·wl·lîm — to shake violently; to act wastefully or immorallyH2151 — Full Word Study → disgracesיַכְלִ֥יםyaḵ·lîm — to be ashamed, humiliated, or confoundedH3637 — Full Word Study → his fatherאָבִֽיו׃’ā·ḇîw — H1 — Full Word Study →. 8He who increasesמַרְבֶּ֣הmar·beh — To increase, multiply, grow abundantH7235 — Full Word Study → his wealthה֭וֹנוֹhō·w·nōw — Wealth, substance, possessions, or material resourcesH1952 — Full Word Study → by interestבְּנֶ֣שֶׁךְbə·ne·šeḵ — Interest charged on a loan; usuryH5392 — Full Word Study → and usuryוּבְתַרְבִּיתū·ḇə·ṯar·bīṯ — increase, profit, or unjust gainH8636 — Full Word Study → lays it upיִקְבְּצֶֽנּוּ׃yiq·bə·ṣen·nū — to gather, assemble, or collect togetherH6908 — Full Word Study → for one who is kindלְחוֹנֵ֖ןlə·ḥō·w·nên — To show favor, mercy, or compassion; to be graciousH2603 — Full Word Study → to the poorדַּלִּ֣יםdal·lîm — poor, needy, weakH1800 — Full Word Study →. 9Whoever turnsמֵסִ֣ירmê·sîr — to turn aside, depart, removeH5493 — Full Word Study → his ear away from hearingמִשְּׁמֹ֣עַmiš·šə·mō·a‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → the lawתּוֹרָ֑הtō·w·rāh — instruction, teaching, law, guidanceH8451 — Full Word Study →, evenגַּֽם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → his prayerתְּ֝פִלָּת֗וֹtə·p̄il·lā·ṯōw — Prayer; formal or spontaneous petition to GodH8605 — Full Word Study → is detestableתּוֹעֵבָֽה׃tō·w·‘ê·ḇāh — Abomination; something detestable or loathsomeH8441 — Full Word Study →. 10He who leadsמַשְׁגֶּ֤הmaš·geh — to wander, stray, go astrayH7686 — Full Word Study → the uprightיְשָׁרִ֨ים׀yə·šā·rîm — upright, straight, righteous, justH3477 — Full Word Study → along the pathבְּדֶ֥רֶךְbə·ḏe·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → of evilרָ֗עrā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → will fallיִפּ֑וֹלyip·pō·wl — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study → into his ownהֽוּא־hū- — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → pitבִּשְׁחוּת֥וֹbiš·ḥū·ṯōw — pit, deep hole, or graveH7816 — Full Word Study →, but the blamelessוּ֝תְמִימִ֗יםū·ṯə·mî·mîm — Unblemished, whole, complete, perfectH8549 — Full Word Study → will inheritיִנְחֲלוּ־yin·ḥă·lū- — to inherit, to take possession as an heirH5157 — Full Word Study → what is goodטֽוֹב׃ṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study →. 11A richעָשִׁ֑יר‘ā·šîr — A wealthy or rich person; one possessing abundant resourcesH6223 — Full Word Study → manאִ֣ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → is wiseחָכָ֣םḥā·ḵām — Wise, skilled, or cunning in understanding and discernmentH2450 — Full Word Study → in his own eyesבְּ֭עֵינָיוbə·‘ê·nāw — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →, but a poor manוְדַ֖לwə·ḏal — poor, needy, weakH1800 — Full Word Study → with discernmentמֵבִ֣יןmê·ḇîn — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study → sees through himיַחְקְרֶֽנּוּ׃yaḥ·qə·ren·nū — to search out, investigate, or examine thoroughlyH2713 — Full Word Study →. 12When the righteousצַ֭דִּיקִיםṣad·dî·qîm — Righteous, just person; one who is right with GodH6662 — Full Word Study → triumphבַּעֲלֹ֣ץba·‘ă·lōṣ — to rejoice, exult, or triumphH5970 — Full Word Study →, there is greatרַבָּ֣הrab·bāh — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → gloryתִפְאָ֑רֶתṯip̄·’ā·reṯ — Beauty, glory, splendor, or magnificenceH8597 — Full Word Study →, but when the wickedרְ֝שָׁעִ֗יםrə·šā·‘îm — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → riseוּבְק֥וּםū·ḇə·qūm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study →, menאָדָֽם׃’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → hide themselvesיְחֻפַּ֥שׂyə·ḥup·paś — to search diligently, to seek out, to disguise oneselfH2664 — Full Word Study →. 13He who concealsמְכַסֶּ֣הmə·ḵas·seh — to cover, conceal, hideH3680 — Full Word Study → his sinsפְ֭שָׁעָיוp̄ə·šā·‘āw — Willful rebellion or transgression against God's lawH6588 — Full Word Study → will notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → prosperיַצְלִ֑יחַyaṣ·lî·aḥ — To prosper, succeed, push forwardH6743 — Full Word Study →, but whoever confessesוּמוֹדֶ֖הū·mō·w·ḏeh — To give thanks, praise, or acknowledgeH3034 — Full Word Study → and renounces themוְעֹזֵ֣בwə·‘ō·zêḇ — to abandon, forsake, or leave behindH5800 — Full Word Study → will find mercyיְרֻחָֽם׃yə·ru·ḥām — to have compassion, show mercyH7355 — Full Word Study →. 14Blessedאַשְׁרֵ֣י’aš·rê — blessed, happy, fortunateH835 — Full Word Study → is the man who is alwaysתָּמִ֑ידtā·mîḏ — continually, perpetually, alwaysH8548 — Full Word Study → reverentמְפַחֵ֣דmə·p̄a·ḥêḏ — to fear, dread, or be afraidH6342 — Full Word Study →, but he who hardensוּמַקְשֶׁ֥הū·maq·šeh — to harden, make severe or difficultH7185 — Full Word Study → his heartלִ֝בּ֗וֹlib·bōw — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → fallsיִפּ֥וֹלyip·pō·wl — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study → into troubleבְּרָעָֽה׃bə·rā·‘āh — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →. 15Like a roaringנֹ֭הֵםnō·hêm — to groan, roar, or moanH5098 — Full Word Study → lionאֲרִי־’ă·rî- — A lion; fierce predatorH738 — Full Word Study → or a chargingשׁוֹקֵ֑קšō·w·qêq — to rush, run, or long intenselyH8264 — Full Word Study → bearוְדֹ֣בwə·ḏōḇ — Bear (animal)H1677 — Full Word Study → is a wickedרָ֝שָׁ֗עrā·šā‘ — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → rulerמֹשֵׁ֥לmō·šêl — To rule, reign, or exercise dominionH4910 — Full Word Study → overעַ֣ל‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → a helplessדָּֽל׃dāl — poor, needy, weakH1800 — Full Word Study → peopleעַם־‘am- — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →. 16A leaderנָגִ֗ידnā·ḡîḏ — Leader, chief, or ruler with authorityH5057 — Full Word Study → who lacksחֲסַ֣רḥă·sar — to lack, be without, have need ofH2638 — Full Word Study → judgmentתְּ֭בוּנוֹתtə·ḇū·nō·wṯ — Prudent understanding; discernment and skillH8394 — Full Word Study → is also a great oppressorמַעֲשַׁקּ֑וֹתma·‘ă·šaq·qō·wṯ — Oppression; unjust burden or hardshipH4642 — Full Word Study →, but he who hatesשֹׂנְאֵיśō·nə·ʾē — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study → dishonest profitבֶ֝֗צַעḇe·ṣa‘ — unjust gain; dishonest profitH1215 — Full Word Study → will prolongיַאֲרִ֥יךְya·’ă·rîḵ — to lengthen, prolong, or extend in time or spaceH748 — Full Word Study → his days. 17A manאָ֭דָם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → burdenedעָשֻׁ֣ק‘ā·šuq — To oppress, defraud, or exploitH6231 — Full Word Study → by bloodguiltבְּדַם־bə·ḏam- — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study → will fleeיָ֝נ֗וּסyā·nūs — to flee, escape, or run awayH5127 — Full Word Study → intoעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → the Pitבּ֥וֹרbō·wr — Pit, cistern, or dungeon; a deep holeH953 — Full Word Study →; let no oneאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → supportיִתְמְכוּ־yiṯ·mə·ḵū- — to grasp, hold, or sustainH8551 — Full Word Study → him. 18He who walksהוֹלֵ֣ךְhō·w·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → with integrityתָּ֭מִיםtā·mîm — Unblemished, whole, complete, perfectH8549 — Full Word Study → will be kept safeיִוָּשֵׁ֑עַyiw·wā·šê·a‘ — To deliver, rescue, or save from dangerH3467 — Full Word Study →, but whoever is perverseוְנֶעְקַ֥שׁwə·ne‘·qaš — to twist, make crooked, pervertH6140 — Full Word Study → in his ways will suddenlyבְּאֶחָֽת׃bə·’e·ḥāṯ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → fallיִפּ֥וֹלyip·pō·wl — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study →. 19The one who worksעֹבֵ֣ד‘ō·ḇêḏ — to serve, labor, workH5647 — Full Word Study → his landאַ֭דְמָתוֹ’aḏ·mā·ṯōw — Land, soil, ground, earthH127 — Full Word Study → will have plenty ofיִֽשְׂבַּֽע־yiś·ba‘- — to satisfy, fill, have enoughH7646 — Full Word Study → foodלָ֑חֶםlā·ḥem — Bread; food; sustenanceH3899 — Full Word Study →, but whoever chasesוּמְרַדֵּ֥ףū·mə·rad·dêp̄ — to pursue, chase, or persecuteH7291 — Full Word Study → fantasiesרֵ֝קִ֗יםrê·qîm — Empty, worthless, vainH7386 — Full Word Study → will have his fillיִֽשְׂבַּֽע־yiś·ba‘- — to satisfy, fill, have enoughH7646 — Full Word Study → of povertyרִֽישׁ׃rîš — poverty, destitution, wantH7389 — Full Word Study →. 20A faithfulאֱ֭מוּנוֹת’ĕ·mū·nō·wṯ — Faithfulness, steadfastness, reliabilityH530 — Full Word Study → manאִ֣ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → will aboundרַב־raḇ- — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → with blessingsבְּרָכ֑וֹתbə·rā·ḵō·wṯ — Blessing; divine favor and benefitH1293 — Full Word Study →, but one eagerוְאָ֥ץwə·’āṣ — to hasten, hurry, press forward urgentlyH213 — Full Word Study → to be richלְ֝הַעֲשִׁ֗ירlə·ha·‘ă·šîr — to become or make rich; to enrichH6238 — Full Word Study → will notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → go unpunishedיִנָּקֶֽה׃yin·nā·qeh — to be clean, innocent, or acquittedH5352 — Full Word Study →. 21To show partialityהַֽכֵּר־hak·kêr- — To recognize, acknowledge, regard, or treat as strangeH5234 — Full Word Study → is not goodט֑וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study →, yet a manגָּֽבֶר׃gā·ḇer — Man, mighty man, strong manH1397 — Full Word Study → will do wrongיִפְשַׁע־yip̄·ša‘- — To transgress, rebel, or violate a covenant or lawH6586 — Full Word Study → forוְעַל־wə·‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → a pieceפַּת־paṯ- — A morsel, bit, or small piece of foodH6595 — Full Word Study → of breadלֶ֝֗חֶםle·ḥem — Bread; food; sustenanceH3899 — Full Word Study →. 22A stingyרַ֣עra‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → manאִ֭ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → hastensנִֽבֳהָ֥לni·ḇo·hāl — to alarm, hasten, or act in hasteH926 — Full Word Study → after wealthלַה֗וֹןla·hō·wn — Wealth, substance, possessions, or material resourcesH1952 — Full Word Study → and does notוְלֹֽא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → knowיֵ֝דַעyê·ḏa‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → povertyחֶ֥סֶרḥe·ser — Poverty, want, deficiency, lackH2639 — Full Word Study → awaits himיְבֹאֶֽנּוּ׃yə·ḇō·’en·nū — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study →. 23He who rebukesמ֘וֹכִ֤יחַmō·w·ḵî·aḥ — To rebuke, reprove, or correct with reasoningH3198 — Full Word Study → a manאָדָ֣ם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → will laterאַ֭חֲרַי’a·ḥă·ray — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study → findיִמְצָ֑אyim·ṣā — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → more favorחֵ֣ןḥên — Favor, grace, or kindness shown to someoneH2580 — Full Word Study → than one who flattersמִֽמַּחֲלִ֥יקmim·ma·ḥă·lîq — to divide, distribute, or apportion; to be smooth or flatterH2505 — Full Word Study → with his tongueלָשֽׁוֹן׃lā·šō·wn — Tongue; language; speechH3956 — Full Word Study →. 24He who robsגּוֹזֵ֤ל׀gō·w·zêl — to seize or rob by force; to plunderH1497 — Full Word Study → his fatherאָ֘בִ֤יו’ā·ḇîw — H1 — Full Word Study → or motherוְאִמּ֗וֹwə·’im·mōw — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study →, sayingוְאֹמֵ֥רwə·’ō·mêr — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “It is notאֵֽין־’ên- — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → wrongפָּ֑שַׁעpā·ša‘ — Willful rebellion or transgression against God's lawH6588 — Full Word Study →,” is a companionחָבֵ֥רḥā·ḇêr — companion, partner, associateH2270 — Full Word Study → to the manלְאִ֣ישׁlə·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → who destroysמַשְׁחִֽית׃maš·ḥîṯ — to destroy, ruin, or corruptH7843 — Full Word Study →. 25A greedy manרְחַב־rə·ḥaḇ- — Broad, WideH7342 — Full Word Study → stirs upיְגָרֶ֣הyə·ḡā·reh — to stir up, provoke, contendH1624 — Full Word Study → strifeמָד֑וֹןmā·ḏō·wn — Strife, quarreling, contentionH4066 — Full Word Study →, but he who trustsוּבוֹטֵ֖חַū·ḇō·w·ṭê·aḥ — to trust, rely on, have confidenceH982 — Full Word Study → inעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → will prosperיְדֻשָּֽׁן׃yə·ḏuš·šān — to make fat, prosper, or grow richH1878 — Full Word Study →. 26He who trustsבּוֹטֵ֣חַbō·w·ṭê·aḥ — to trust, rely on, have confidenceH982 — Full Word Study → in himselfבְּ֭לִבּוֹbə·lib·bōw — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → is a foolכְסִ֑ילḵə·sîl — fool, foolish personH3684 — Full Word Study →, but one who walksוְהוֹלֵ֥ךְwə·hō·w·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → in wisdomבְּ֝חָכְמָ֗הbə·ḥā·ḵə·māh — Wisdom; skillful understanding and discernmentH2451 — Full Word Study → will be safeיִמָּלֵֽט׃yim·mā·lêṭ — to escape, deliver, or save from dangerH4422 — Full Word Study →. 27Whoever givesנוֹתֵ֣ןnō·w·ṯên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → to the poorלָ֭רָשׁlā·rāš — To be poor, lack, or become destituteH7326 — Full Word Study → will notאֵ֣ין’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → be in needמַחְס֑וֹרmaḥ·sō·wr — Lack, want, or shortage; deprivation or povertyH4270 — Full Word Study →, but he who hidesוּמַעְלִ֥יםū·ma‘·lîm — to hide, conceal, or act in secretH5956 — Full Word Study → his eyesעֵ֝ינָ֗יו‘ê·nāw — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → will receive manyרַב־raḇ- — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → cursesמְאֵרֽוֹת׃mə·’ê·rō·wṯ — A curse; a state of being accursed or under divine judgmentH3994 — Full Word Study →. 28When the wickedרְ֭שָׁעִיםrə·šā·‘îm — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → come to powerבְּק֣וּםbə·qūm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study →, peopleאָדָ֑ם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → hide themselvesיִסָּתֵ֣רyis·sā·ṯêr — To hide, conceal, or keep secretH5641 — Full Word Study →; but when they perishוּ֝בְאָבְדָ֗םū·ḇə·’ā·ḇə·ḏām — To perish, be destroyed, or lostH6 — Full Word Study →, the righteousצַדִּיקִֽים׃ṣad·dî·qîm — Righteous, just person; one who is right with GodH6662 — Full Word Study → flourishיִרְבּ֥וּyir·bū — To increase, multiply, grow abundantH7235 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Proverbs 28
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Proverbs 28 presents a powerful contrast between the righteous and the wicked, exploring how moral character shapes both personal destiny and social order. Throughout this chapter, Solomon repeatedly demonstrates that genuine prosperity flows from integrity, obedience to God's law, and humble trust in the Lord, while wickedness inevitably brings judgment and ruin. The repeated theme of consequences—both natural and divine—reminds us that God has built a moral order into creation itself, and that our choices carry weight far beyond the moment.

Verses 1-5: The Foundation of Courage and Understanding

Solomon opens by contrasting the inner condition of the wicked with that of the righteous. The wicked person flees "when no man pursueth" (verse 1)—they are haunted by guilt and fear, even in safety. By contrast, the righteous are "bold as a lion," secure in their standing before God. This boldness is not arrogance but confidence rooted in a clear conscience.

Verses 2-5 broaden the lens to show how moral character affects entire nations. When a land experiences "transgression," leadership becomes unstable—"many are the princes" (verse 2) speaks to the chaos and short tenures of unrighteous rulers. Yet a leader of "understanding and knowledge" can bring stability and longevity. Verses 4-5 emphasize that abandoning God's law leads to defending the indefensible, while seeking the Lord opens understanding to "all things"—His perspective on justice and reality.

Application: Our moral integrity directly affects our inner peace. When we live honestly before God, we need not fear exposure or judgment.

Verses 6-12: The True Measure of Wealth

Solomon challenges the world's value system. A poor person walking in uprightness is far better than a rich person whose ways are perverse (verse 6). Verse 7 reinforces that keeping God's law marks true wisdom, while foolish companions bring shame. Verse 8 teaches that ill-gotten wealth is ultimately temporary—those who gain through usury will find others inherit what they gathered.

Verse 9 presents a striking principle: refusing to hear God's law makes even our prayers an "abomination" to the Lord. God does not hear the prayers of those who persistently reject His revealed will. Verse 10 shows divine justice at work—those who lead the righteous astray fall into their own trap, while the upright enjoy lasting good. Verses 11-12 observe that the rich often lack true wisdom, while humble, discerning poor people often see through their pretense. When the righteous prosper, there is "great glory"; when the wicked rise, goodness becomes hidden.

Application: Evaluate your prosperity by God's standard, not the world's. Is your character being refined or compromised by your circumstances?

Verses 13-20: The Path of Confession and Diligence

Verse 13 is transformative: hidden sins prevent prosperity, but confession and forsaking sin bring mercy. This echoes the gospel—there is no covering for sin except honest acknowledgment before God. Verse 14 distinguishes between healthy fear of God (which guards us from mischief) and hardening one's heart (which leads to ruin).

Verses 15-18 warn against wicked rulers and perverse living. A ruler without understanding oppresses the poor brutally (verse 15); one who hates covetousness extends his days (verse 16). A murderer flees to judgment (verse 17), while the upright find salvation and stability (verse 18). Verses 19-20 encourage honest labor and warn against the poison of get-rich-quick schemes, which produce guilt alongside greed.

Application: Embrace honest work and transparent living. Confession to God brings freedom that no hidden wealth can match.

Verses 21-28: Justice, Humility, and Divine Reversal

Solomon condemns partiality (verse 21) and the "evil eye" of greed (verse 22). He praises honest rebuke over flattery (verse 23) and condemns those who rob family while denying guilt (verse 24). Pride stirs strife; trust in the Lord brings blessing (verse 25). Self-reliance is foolish; wise walking brings deliverance (verse 26). Generosity toward the poor prevents lack; hard-heartedness brings curses (verse 27). The chapter closes with a beautiful reversal: when the wicked rise, people hide; when they perish, the righteous flourish (verse 28).

Application for Today: Live with integrity, generosity, and humble trust in God's moral order. Your character investments will outlast any material gains, and God's justice—though sometimes delayed—is absolutely certain. Choose the path of the righteous, knowing that God Himself secures your future.

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