Proverbs 28:1-28 MSG

Proverbs 28:1-28 MSG [1] The wicked are edgy with guilt, ready to run off even when no one’s after them; Honest people are relaxed and confident, bold as lions. [2] When the country is in chaos, everybody has a plan to fix it—But it takes a leader of real understanding to straighten things out. [3] The wicked who oppress the poor are like a hailstorm that beats down the harvest. [4] If you desert God’s law, you’re free to embrace depravity; if you love God’s law, you fight for it tooth and nail. [5] Justice makes no sense to the evilminded; those who seek God know it inside and out. [6] It’s better to be poor and direct than rich and crooked. [7] Practice God’s law—get a reputation for wisdom; hang out with a loose crowd—embarrass your family. [8] Get as rich as you want through cheating and extortion, But eventually some friend of the poor is going to give it all back to them. [9] God has no use for the prayers of the people who won’t listen to him. [10] Lead good people down a wrong path and you’ll come to a bad end; do good and you’ll be rewarded for it. [11] The rich think they know it all, but the poor can see right through them. [12] When good people are promoted, everything is great, but when the bad are in charge, watch out! [13] You can’t whitewash your sins and get by with it; you find mercy by admitting and leaving them. [14] A tenderhearted person lives a blessed life; a hardhearted person lives a hard life. [15] Lions roar and bears charge—and the wicked lord it over the poor. [16] Among leaders who lack insight, abuse abounds, but for one who hates corruption, the future is bright. [17] A murderer haunted by guilt is doomed—there’s no helping him. [18] Walk straight—live well and be saved; a devious life is a doomed life. [19] Work your garden—you’ll end up with plenty of food; play and party—you’ll end up with an empty plate. [20] Committed and persistent work pays off; get-rich-quick schemes are ripoffs. [21] Playing favorites is always a bad thing; you can do great harm in seemingly harmless ways. [22] A miser in a hurry to get rich doesn’t know that he’ll end up broke. [23] In the end, serious reprimand is appreciated far more than bootlicking flattery. [24] Anyone who robs father and mother and says, “So, what’s wrong with that?” is worse than a pirate. [25] A grasping person stirs up trouble, but trust in God brings a sense of well-being. [26] If you think you know it all, you’re a fool for sure; real survivors learn wisdom from others. [27] Be generous to the poor—you’ll never go hungry; shut your eyes to their needs, and run a gauntlet of curses. [28] When corruption takes over, good people go underground, but when the crooks are thrown out, it’s safe to come out.

Find out more about this Bible translation: