# Proverbs 28 (New King James Version)
The Righteous Are Bold as a Lion

##### Chapter 28
###### 1 The wicked flee when no one pursues,  
But the righteous are bold as a lion.

###### 2 Because of the transgression of a land, many _are_ its princes;  
But by a man of understanding _and_ knowledge  
Right will be prolonged.

###### 3 A poor man who oppresses the poor  
_Is like_ a driving rain which leaves no food.

###### 4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,  
But such as keep the law contend with them.

###### 5 Evil men do not understand justice,  
But those who seek the Lord understand all.

###### 6 Better _is_ the poor who walks in his integrity  
Than one perverse _in his_ ways, though he _be_ rich.

###### 7 Whoever keeps the law _is_ a discerning son,  
But a companion of gluttons shames his father.

###### 8 One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion  
Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.

###### 9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,  
Even his prayer _is_ an abomination.

###### 10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,  
He himself will fall into his own pit;  
But the blameless will inherit good.

###### 11 The rich man _is_ wise in his own eyes,  
But the poor who has understanding searches him out.

###### 12 When the righteous rejoice, _there is_ great glory;  
But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves.

###### 13 He who covers his sins will not prosper,  
But whoever confesses and forsakes _them_ will have mercy.

###### 14 Happy _is_ the man who is always reverent,  
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

###### 15 _Like_ a roaring lion and a charging bear  
_Is_ a wicked ruler over poor people.

###### 16 A ruler who lacks understanding _is_ a great oppressor,  
_But_ he who hates covetousness will prolong _his_ days.

###### 17 A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit;  
Let no one help him.

###### 18 Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved,  
But _he who is_ perverse _in his_ ways will suddenly fall.

###### 19 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,  
But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!

###### 20 A faithful man will abound with blessings,  
But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

###### 21 To show partiality _is_ not good,  
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

###### 22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches,  
And does not consider that poverty will come upon him.

###### 23 He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward  
Than he who flatters with the tongue.

###### 24 Whoever robs his father or his mother,  
And says, "_It is_ no transgression,"  
The same _is_ companion to a destroyer.

###### 25 He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,  
But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.

###### 26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,  
But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

###### 27 He who gives to the poor will not lack,  
But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

###### 28 When the wicked arise, men hide themselves;  
But when they perish, the righteous increase.