Proverbs 28
What Happens in This Chapter
This chapter is a list of short wise sayings, called proverbs. Most of them set a bad person and a good person side by side. Many are about money, about rulers and their people, and about keeping God's law. One saying says that hiding your sins will not go well, but telling them and stopping them brings mercy.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
1Bad people run away even when no one is chasing them. Good people are brave like a lion.
2For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
2When a land does wrong, it gets one ruler after another. But a leader who is wise and knows things keeps the land steady.
3A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
3A poor man can be mean to other poor people. He is like hard rain that beats down the crops and leaves no food.
4They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
4People who turn away from God's law say good things about bad people. People who keep the law stand up against them.
5Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
5Bad men do not understand what is fair. People who look for the LORD understand it fully.
6Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
6It is better to be poor and live an honest life. That is better than being rich and living a crooked one.
7Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
7A son who keeps God's law is wise. A son who runs around with wild friends shames his father.
8He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
8Some people get more money by charging others too much to borrow. In the end, their money goes to someone who is kind to the poor.
The old word here is "usury." It means charging someone extra money for letting them borrow.
9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
9Some people will not even listen to God's law. Then God hates their prayers too.
10Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
10Someone may lead good people onto a bad path. He will fall into his own trap. Honest people will be given good things.
11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
11A rich man thinks he is very wise. But a poor man who thinks clearly sees right through him.
12When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
12When good people win, it is a glad and proud time. When bad people take charge, people go and hide.
13He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
13If you hide the wrong things you do, things will not go well. If you tell them and stop doing them, you will be shown mercy.
14Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
14The man who always treats God with respect is happy. The man who makes his heart hard will fall into trouble.
15As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
15A bad ruler over poor people is like a lion that roars. He is like a bear coming right at you.
16The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
16A ruler with no good sense hurts his people badly. A ruler who hates greed will live a long life.
The old word here is "wanteth." It does not mean wishing for something. It means lacking it, or not having it.
17A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
17A man who has killed someone will run away until he dies. Let no one help him.
18Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
18Whoever lives an honest life will be kept safe. Whoever lives a crooked life will fall all at once.
19He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
19A man who works his land will have plenty of food. A man who chases empty things will be very poor.
20A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
20A man people can trust will get many good things. A man in a rush to get rich will not stay out of trouble.
21To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
21It is not good to treat one person better than another. Some people will do wrong for just a piece of bread.
"Respect of persons" in the old wording means treating some people better than others, unfairly.
22He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
22A greedy man hurries to get rich. He does not see that being poor is coming to him.
23He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
23Tell a person the truth when he is wrong. Later he will like you more than someone who only says sweet, false things.
24Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
24Some people steal from their father or mother. They say, "That is not wrong." Such a person is a friend of a man who wrecks things.
25He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
25A proud man starts fights. A man who trusts the LORD will do well.
"Made fat" in the old wording means doing well and having plenty, not being heavy.
26He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
26A person who trusts only his own heart is being foolish. A person who lives wisely will be kept safe.
27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
27Whoever gives to poor people will have enough. Whoever looks away from them will be cursed many times.
28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
28When bad people take charge, people hide. When those bad people are gone, good people grow strong.
← → to turn the page · P for plain English · click a verse to sit with it