Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Proverbs » Chapter 28

Proverbs 28:1-28 King James Version (KJV)

1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

10 Whoso 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.

11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

21 To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Proverbs 28:1-28 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 The wicked H7563 flee H5127 when no man pursueth: H7291 but the righteous H6662 are bold H982 as a lion. H3715

2 For the transgression H6588 of a land H776 many H7227 are the princes H8269 thereof: but by a man H120 of understanding H995 and knowledge H3045 the state H3651 thereof shall be prolonged. H748

3 A poor H7326 man H1397 that oppresseth H6231 the poor H1800 is like a sweeping H5502 rain H4306 which leaveth no food. H3899

4 They that forsake H5800 the law H8451 praise H1984 the wicked: H7563 but such as keep H8104 the law H8451 contend H1624 with them.

5 Evil H7451 men H582 understand H995 not judgment: H4941 but they that seek H1245 the LORD H3068 understand H995 all things.

6 Better H2896 is the poor H7326 that walketh H1980 in his uprightness, H8537 than he that is perverse H6141 in his ways, H1870 though he be rich. H6223

7 Whoso keepeth H5341 the law H8451 is a wise H995 son: H1121 but he that is a companion H7462 of riotous H2151 men shameth H3637 his father. H1

8 He that by usury H5392 and unjust gain H8636 increaseth H7235 his substance, H1952 he shall gather H6908 it for him that will pity H2603 the poor. H1800

9 He that turneth away H5493 his ear H241 from hearing H8085 the law, H8451 even his prayer H8605 shall be abomination. H8441

10 Whoso causeth the righteous H3477 to go astray H7686 in an evil H7451 way, H1870 he shall fall H5307 himself into his own pit: H7816 but the upright H8549 shall have good H2896 things in possession. H5157

11 The rich H6223 man H376 is wise H2450 in his own conceit; H5869 but the poor H1800 that hath understanding H995 searcheth him out. H2713

12 When righteous H6662 men do rejoice, H5970 there is great H7227 glory: H8597 but when the wicked H7563 rise, H6965 a man H120 is hidden. H2664

13 He that covereth H3680 his sins H6588 shall not prosper: H6743 but whoso confesseth H3034 and forsaketh H5800 them shall have mercy. H7355

14 Happy H835 is the man H120 that feareth H6342 alway: H8548 but he that hardeneth H7185 his heart H3820 shall fall H5307 into mischief. H7451

15 As a roaring H5098 lion, H738 and a ranging H8264 bear; H1677 so is a wicked H7563 ruler H4910 over the poor H1800 people. H5971

16 The prince H5057 that wanteth H2638 understanding H8394 is also a great H7227 oppressor: H4642 but he that hateth H8130 covetousness H1215 shall prolong H748 his days. H3117

17 A man H120 that doeth violence H6231 to the blood H1818 of any person H5315 shall flee H5127 to the pit; H953 let no man stay H8551 him.

18 Whoso walketh H1980 uprightly H8549 shall be saved: H3467 but he that is perverse H6140 in his ways H1870 shall fall H5307 at once. H259

19 He that tilleth H5647 his land H127 shall have plenty H7646 of bread: H3899 but he that followeth H7291 after vain H7386 persons shall have poverty enough. H7389

20 A faithful H530 man H376 shall abound H7227 with blessings: H1293 but he that maketh haste H213 to be rich H6238 shall not be innocent. H5352

21 To have respect H5234 of persons H6440 is not good: H2896 for for a piece H6595 of bread H3899 that man H1397 will transgress. H6586

22 He H376 that hasteth H926 to be rich H1952 hath an evil H7451 eye, H5869 and considereth H3045 not that poverty H2639 shall come H935 upon him.

23 He that rebuketh H3198 a man H120 afterwards H310 shall find H4672 more favour H2580 than he that flattereth H2505 with the tongue. H3956

24 Whoso robbeth H1497 his father H1 or his mother, H517 and saith, H559 It is no transgression; H6588 the same is the companion H2270 of a destroyer. H376 H7843

25 He that is of a proud H7342 heart H5315 stirreth up H1624 strife: H4066 but he that putteth his trust H982 in the LORD H3068 shall be made fat. H1878

26 He that trusteth H982 in his own heart H3820 is a fool: H3684 but whoso walketh H1980 wisely, H2451 he shall be delivered. H4422

27 He that giveth H5414 unto the poor H7326 shall not lack: H4270 but he that hideth H5956 his eyes H5869 shall have many H7227 a curse. H3994

28 When the wicked H7563 rise, H6965 men H120 hide H5641 themselves: but when they perish, H6 the righteous H6662 increase. H7235

Proverbs 28:1-28 American Standard (ASV)

1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; But by men of understanding `and' knowledge the state `thereof' shall be prolonged.

3 A needy man that oppresseth the poor Is `like' a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them.

5 Evil men understand not justice; But they that seek Jehovah understand all things.

6 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in `his' ways, though he be rich.

7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father.

8 He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.

9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.

10 Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit; But the perfect shall inherit good.

11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

13 He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.

14 Happy is the man that feareth alway; But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

15 `As' a roaring lion, and a ranging bear, `So is' a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16 The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; `But' he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

17 A man that is laden with the blood of any person Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him.

18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered; But he that is perverse in `his' ways shall fall at once.

19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain `persons' shall have poverty enough.

20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings; But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.

21 To have respect of persons is not good; Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.

22 he that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches, And knoweth not that want shall come upon him.

23 He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favor Than he that flattereth with the tongue.

24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, The same is the companion of a destroyer.

25 He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife; But he that putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be made fat.

26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

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

Proverbs 28:1-28 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer. And the righteous as a young lion is confident.

2 By the transgression of a land many `are' its heads. And by an intelligent man, Who knoweth right -- it is prolonged.

3 A man -- poor and oppressing the weak, `Is' a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.

4 Those forsaking the law praise the wicked, Those keeping the law plead against them.

5 Evil men understand not judgment, And those seeking Jehovah understand all.

6 Better `is' the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.

7 Whoso is keeping the law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons, Doth cause his father to blush.

8 Whoso is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, For one favouring the poor doth gather it.

9 Whoso is turning his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer `is' an abomination.

10 Whoso is causing the upright to err in an evil way, Into his own pit he doth fall, And the perfect do inherit good.

11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searcheth him.

12 In the exulting of the righteous the glory `is' abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.

13 Whoso is covering his transgressions prospereth not, And he who is confessing and forsaking hath mercy.

14 O the happiness of a man fearing continually, And whoso is hardening his heart falleth into evil.

15 A growling lion, and a ranging bear, `Is' the wicked ruler over a poor people.

16 A leader lacking understanding multiplieth oppressions, Whoso is hating dishonest gain prolongeth days.

17 A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, Unto the pit fleeth, none taketh hold on him.

18 Whoso is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falleth at once.

19 Whoso is tilling his ground is satisfied `with' bread, And whoso is pursuing vanity, Is filled `with' poverty.

20 A stedfast man hath multiplied blessings, And whoso is hasting to be rich is not acquitted.

21 To discern faces is not good, And for a piece of bread doth a man transgress.

22 Troubled for wealth `is' the man `with' an evil eye, And he knoweth not that want doth meet him.

23 Whoso is reproving a man afterwards findeth grace, More than a flatterer with the tongue.

24 Whoso is robbing his father, or his mother, And is saying, `It is not transgression,' A companion he is to a destroyer.

25 Whoso is proud in soul stirreth up contention, And whoso is trusting on Jehovah is made fat.

26 Whoso is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoso is walking in wisdom is delivered.

27 Whoso is giving to the poor hath no lack, And whoso is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.

28 In the rising of the wicked a man is hidden, And in their destruction the righteous multiply!

Proverbs 28:1-28 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 By the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; but by a man of understanding [and] of knowledge, [its] stability is prolonged.

3 A poor man who oppresseth the helpless is a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked; but such as keep the law contend with them.

5 Evil men understand not judgment; but they that seek Jehovah understand everything.

6 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse, double in ways, though he be rich.

7 Whoso observeth the law is a son that hath understanding; but he that is a companion of profligates bringeth shame to his father.

8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance gathereth it for him that is gracious to the poor.

9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

10 Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, shall himself fall into his own pit; but the perfect shall inherit good.

11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men conceal themselves.

13 He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall obtain mercy.

14 Happy is the man that feareth always; but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into evil.

15 A roaring lion, and a ranging bear, is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16 The prince void of intelligence is also a great oppressor: he that hateth covetousness shall prolong [his] days.

17 A man laden with the blood of [any] person, fleeth to the pit: let no man stay him.

18 Whoso walketh in integrity shall be saved; but he that is perverted in [his] double ways, shall fall in one [of them].

19 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth the worthless shall have poverty enough.

20 A faithful man aboundeth with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

21 To have respect of persons is not good; but for a piece of bread will a man transgress.

22 He that hath an evil eye hasteth after wealth, and knoweth not that poverty shall come upon him.

23 He that rebuketh a man shall afterwards find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

24 Whoso robbeth his father and his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, the same is the companion of a destroyer.

25 He that is puffed up in soul exciteth contention; but he that relieth upon Jehovah shall be made fat.

26 He that confideth in his own heart is a fool; but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; but he that withdraweth his eyes shall have many a curse.

28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Proverbs 28:1-28 World English Bible (WEB)

1 The wicked flee when no one pursues; But the righteous are as bold as a lion.

2 In rebellion, a land has many rulers, But order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.

3 A needy man who oppresses the poor Is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.

4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; But those who keep the law contend with them.

5 Evil men don't understand justice; But those who seek Yahweh understand it fully.

6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, Than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.

7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; But he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.

8 He who increases his wealth by excessive interest Gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.

9 He 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 will fall into his own trap; But the blameless will inherit good.

11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes; But the poor who has understanding sees through him.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

13 He who conceals his sins doesn't prosper, But whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

14 Blessed is the man who always fears; But one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

15 As a roaring lion or a charging bear, So is a wicked ruler over helpless people.

16 A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.

17 A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death; No one will support him.

18 Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; But one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.

19 One who works his land will have an abundance of food; But one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

20 A faithful man is rich with blessings; But one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

21 To show partiality is not good; Yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

22 A stingy man hurries after riches, And doesn't know that poverty waits for him.

23 One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor Than one who flatters with the tongue.

24 Whoever robs his father or his mother, and says, "It's not wrong." He is a partner with a destroyer.

25 One who is greedy stirs up strife; But one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.

26 One who trusts in himself is a fool; But one who walks in wisdom, he is kept safe.

27 One who gives to the poor has no lack; But one who closes his eyes will have many curses.

28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous thrive.

Proverbs 28:1-28 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 The evil man goes running away when no man is after him, but the upright are without fear, like the lion.

2 Because of the sin of the land, its troubles are increased; but by a man of wisdom and knowledge they will be put out like a fire.

3 A man of wealth who is cruel to the poor is like a violent rain causing destruction of food.

4 Those who have no respect for the law give praise to the evil-doer; but such as keep the law are against him.

5 Evil men have no knowledge of what is right; but those who go after the Lord have knowledge of all things.

6 Better is the poor man whose ways are upright, than the man of wealth whose ways are not straight.

7 He who keeps the law is a wise son, but he who keeps company with feasters puts shame on his father.

8 He who makes his wealth greater by taking interest, only gets it together for him who has pity on the poor.

9 As for the man whose ear is turned away from hearing the law, even his prayer is disgusting.

10 Anyone causing the upright to go wandering in an evil way, will himself go down into the hole he has made; but the upright will have good things for their heritage.

11 The man of wealth seems to himself to be wise, but the poor man who has sense has a low opinion of him.

12 When the upright do well, there is great glory; but when evil-doers are lifted up, men do not let themselves be seen.

13 He who keeps his sins secret will not do well; but one who is open about them, and gives them up, will get mercy.

14 Happy is the man in whom is the fear of the Lord at all times; but he whose heart is hard will come into trouble.

15 Like a loud-voiced lion and a wandering bear, is an evil ruler over a poor people.

16 The prince who has no sense is a cruel ruler; but he who has no desire to get profit for himself will have long life.

17 One who has been the cause of a man's death will go in flight to the underworld: let no man give him help.

18 He whose ways are upright will be safe, but sudden will be the fall of him whose ways are twisted.

19 By ploughing his land a man will have bread in full measure; but he who goes after good-for-nothing persons will be poor enough.

20 A man of good faith will have great blessing, but one attempting to get wealth quickly will not go free from punishment.

21 It is not good to have respect for a man's position: for a man will do wrong for a bit of bread.

22 He who is ever desiring wealth goes running after money, and does not see that need will come on him.

23 He who says words of protest to a man will later have more approval than one who says smooth words with his tongue.

24 He who takes from his father or his mother what is theirs by right, and says, It is no sin; is the same as a taker of life.

25 He who is ever desiring profit is a cause of fighting; but he who puts his faith in the Lord will be made fat.

26 He whose faith is in himself is foolish; but everyone walking wisely will be kept safe.

27 He who gives to the poor will never be in need, but great curses will be on him who gives no attention to them.

28 When evil-doers are lifted up, men take cover; but when destruction overtakes them, the upright are increased.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 28

Commentary on Proverbs 28 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill   Keil & Delitzsch   Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible  

Chapter 28

Pro 28:1

See here,

  • 1. What continual frights those are subject to that go on in wicked ways. Guilt in the conscience makes men a terror to themselves, so that they are ready to flee when none pursues; like one that absconds for debt, who thinks every one he meets a bailiff. Though they pretend to be easy, there are secret fears which haunt them wherever they go, so that they fear where no present or imminent danger is, Ps. 53:5. Those that have made God their enemy, and know it, cannot but see the whole creation at war with them, and therefore can have no true enjoyment of themselves, no confidence, no courage, but a fearful looking for of judgment. Sin makes men cowards.
    • Degeneres animos timor arguit-
    • Fear argues a degenerate soul.—Virgil
    • Quos diri conscia facti mens habet attonitos-
    • The consciousness of atrocious crimes astonishes and confounds.—Juvenal
    If they flee when none pursues, what will they do when they shall see God himself pursuing them with his armies? Job 20:24; 15:24. See Deu. 28:25; Lev. 26:36.
  • 2. What a holy security and serenity of mind those enjoy who keep conscience void of offence and so keep themselves in the love of God: The righteous are bold as a lion, as a young lion; in the greatest dangers they have a God of almighty power to trust to. Therefore will not we fear though the earth be removed. Whatever difficulties they meet with in the way of their duty, they are not daunted by them. None of those things move me.
    • Hie murus aheneus esto, nil conscire sibi-
    • Be this thy brazen bulwark of defence,
    • Still to preserve thy conscious innocence.—Hor.

Pro 28:2

Note,

  • 1. National sins bring national disorders and the disturbance of the public repose: For the transgression of a land, and a general defection from God and religion to idolatry, profaneness, or immorality, many are the princes thereof, many at the same time pretending to the sovereignty and contending for it, by which the people are crumbled into parties and factions, biting and devouring one another, or many successively, in a little time, one cutting off another, as 1 Ki. 16:8, etc., or soon cut off by the hand of God or of a foreign enemy, as 2 Ki. 24:5, etc. As the people suffer for the sins of the prince,
    • Delirant reges, plectuntur Achivi-
    • Kings play the madmen, and their people suffer for it,
    so the government sometimes suffers for the sins of the people.
  • 2. Wisdom will prevent or redress these grievances: By a man, that is, by a people, of understanding, that come again to themselves and their right mind, things are kept in a good order, or, if disturbed, brought back to the old channel again. Or, By a prince of understanding and knowledge, a privy-counsellor, or minister of state, that will restrain or suppress the transgression of the land, and take the right methods of healing the state thereof, the good estate of it will be prolonged. We cannot imagine what a great deal of service one wise man may do to a nation in a critical juncture.

Pro 28:3

See here,

  • 1. How hard-hearted poor people frequently are to one another, not only not doing such good offices as they might do one to another, but imposing upon and over-reaching one another. Those who know by experience the miseries of poverty should be compassionate to those who suffer the like, but they are inexcusably barbarous if they be injurious to them.
  • 2. How imperious and griping those commonly are who, being indigent and necessitous, get into power. If a prince prefer a poor man, he forgets that ever he was poor, and none shall be so oppressive to the poor as he, nor squeeze them so cruelly. The hungry leech and the dry sponge suck most. Set a beggar on horseback, and he will ride without mercy. He is like a sweeping rain, which washes away the corn in the ground, and lays and beats out that which has grown, so that it leaves no food. Princes therefore ought not to put those into places of trust who are poor, and in debt, and behind-hand in the world, nor any who make it their main business to enrich themselves.

Pro 28:4

Note,

  • 1. Those that praise the wicked make it to appear that they do themselves forsake the law, and go contrary to it, for that curses and condemns the wicked. Wicked people will speak well of one another, and so strengthen one another's hands in their wicked ways, hoping thereby to silence the clamours of their own consciences and to serve the interests of the devil's kingdom, which is not done by any thing so effectually as by keeping vice in reputation.
  • 2. Those that do indeed make conscience of the law of God themselves will, in their places, vigorously oppose sin, and bear their testimony against it, and do what they can to shame and suppress it. They will reprove the works of darkness, and silence the excuses which are made for those works, and do what they can to bring gross offenders to punishment, that others may hear and fear.

Pro 28:5

Note,

  • I. As the prevalency of men's lusts is owing to the darkness of their understandings, so the darkness of their understandings is very much owing to the dominion of their lusts: Men understand not judgment, discern not between truth and falsehood, right and wrong; they understand not the law of God as the rule either of their duty or of their doom; and,
    • 1. Therefore it is that they are evil men; their wickedness is the effect of their ignorance and error, Eph. 4:18.
    • 2. Therefore they understand not judgment, because they are evil men; their corruptions blind their eyes, and fill them with prejudices, and because they do evil they hate the light. It is just with God also to give them up to strong delusions.
  • II. As men's seeking the Lord is a good sign that they do understand much, so it is a good means of their understanding more, even of their understanding all things needful for them. Those that set God's glory before them as their end, his favour as their felicity, and his word as their rule, and apply to him upon all occasions by prayer, they seek the Lord, and he will give them the spirit of wisdom. If a man do his will, he shall know his doctrine, Jn. 7:17. A good understanding those have, and a better they shall have, that do his commandments, Ps. 111:10; 1 Co. 2:12, 15.

Pro 28:6

Here,

  • 1. It is supposed that a man may walk in his uprightness and yet be poor in this world, which is a temptation to dishonesty, and yet may resist the temptation and continue to walk in his uprightness-also that a man may be perverse in his ways, injurious to God and man, and yet be rich, and prosper in the world, for a while, may be rich, and so lie under great obligations and have great opportunities to do good, and yet be perverse in his ways and do a great deal of hurt.
  • 2. It is maintained as a paradox to a blind world that an honest, godly, poor man, is better than a wicked, ungodly, rich man, has a better character, is in a better condition, has more comfort in himself, is a greater blessing to the world, and is worthy of much more honour and respect. It is not only certain that his case will be better at death, but it is better in life. When Aristides was by a rich man upbraided with his poverty he answered, Thy riches do thee more hurt than my poverty does me.

Pro 28:7

Note,

  • 1. Religion is true wisdom, and it makes men wise in every relation. He that conscientiously keeps the law is wise, and he will be particularly a wise son, that is, will act discreetly towards his parents, for the law of God teaches him to do so.
  • 2. Bad company is a great hindrance to religion. Those that are companions of riotous men, that choose such for their companions and delight in their conversation, will certainly be drawn from keeping the law of God and drawn to transgress it, Ps. 119:115.
  • 3. Wickedness is not only a reproach to the sinner himself, but to all that are akin to him. He that keeps rakish company, and spends his time and money with them, not only grieves his parents, but shames them; it turns to their disrepute, as if they had not done their duty to him. They are ashamed that a child of theirs should be scandalous and abusive to their neighbours.

Pro 28:8

Note,

  • 1. That which is ill-got, though it may increase much, will not last long. A man may perhaps raise a great estate, in a little time, by usury and extortion, fraud, and oppression of the poor, but it will not continue; he gathers it for himself, but it shall prove to have been gathered for somebody else that he has no kindness for. His estate shall go to decay, and another man's shall be raised out of the ruins of it.
  • 2. Sometimes God in his providence so orders it that that which one got unjustly another uses charitably; it is strangely turned into the hands of one that will pity the poor and do good with it, and so cut off the entail of the curse which he brought upon it who got it by deceit and violence. Thus the same Providence that punishes the cruel, and disables them to do any more hurt, rewards the merciful, and enables them to do so much the more good. To him that has the ten pounds give the pound which the wicked servant hid in the napkin; for to him that has, and uses it well, more shall be given, Lu. 19:24. Thus the poor are repaid, the charitable are encouraged, and God is glorified.

Pro 28:9

Note,

  • 1. It is by the word and prayer that our communion with God is kept up. God speaks to us by his law, and expects we should hear him and heed him; we speak to him by prayer, to which we wait for an answer of peace. How reverent and serious should we be, whenever we are hearing from and speaking to the Lord of glory!
  • 2. If God's word be not regarded by us, our prayers shall not only not be accepted of God, but they shall be an abomination to him, not only our sacrifices, which were ceremonial appointments, but even our prayers, which are moral duties, and which, when they are put up by the upright, are so much his delight. See Isa. 1:11, 15. The sinner whose prayers God is thus angry at is one who wilfully and obstinately refuses to obey God's commandments, who will not so much as give them the hearing, but causes his ear to decline the law, and refuses when God calls; God will therefore justly refuse him when he calls. See Prov. 1:24, 28.

Pro 28:10

Here is,

  • 1. The doom of seducers, who attempt to draw good people, or those who profess to be such, into sin and mischief, who take pride in causing the righteous to go astray in an evil way, in drawing them into a snare, that they may insult over them. They shall not gain their point; it is impossible to deceive the elect. But they shall fall themselves into their own pit; and having been not only sinners, but tempters, not only unrighteous, but enemies to the righteous, their condemnation will be so much the greater, Mt. 23:14, 15.
  • 2. The happiness of the sincere. They shall not only be preserved from the evil way which the wicked would decoy them into, but they shall have good things, the best things, in possession, the graces and comforts of God's Spirit, besides what they have in reversion.

Pro 28:11

Note,

  • 1. Those that are rich are apt to think themselves wise, because, whatever else they are ignorant of, they know how to get and save; and those that are purse-proud expect that all they say should be regarded as an oracle and a law, and that none should dare to contradict them, but every sheaf bow to theirs; this humour is fed by flatterers, who, because (like Jezebel's prophets) they are fed at their table, cry up their wisdom.
  • 2. Those that are poor often prove themselves wiser than they: A poor man, who has taken pains to get wisdom, having no other way (as the rich man has) to get a reputation, searches him out, and makes it to appear that he is not such a scholar, nor such a politician, as he is taken to be. See how variously God dispenses his gifts; to some he gives wealth, to others wisdom, and it is easy to say which of these is the better gift, which we should covet more earnestly.

Pro 28:12

Note,

  • 1. The comfort of the people of God is the honour of the nation in which they live. There is a great glory dwelling in the land when the righteous do rejoice, when they have their liberty, the free exercise of their religion, and are not persecuted, when the government countenances them and speaks comfortably to them, when they prosper and grow rich, and, much more, when they are preferred and employed and have power put into their hands.
  • 2. The advancement of the wicked is the eclipsing of the beauty of a nation: When the wicked rise and get head they make head against all that is sacred, and then a man is hidden, a good man is thrust into obscurity, is necessitated to abscond for his own safety; corruptions prevail so generally that, as in Elijah's time, there seem to be no good men left, the wicked walk so thickly on every side.

Pro 28:13

Here is,

  • 1. The folly of indulging sin, of palliating and excusing it, denying or extenuating it, diminishing it, dissembling it, or throwing the blame of it upon others: He that thus covers his sins shall not prosper, let him never expect it. He shall not succeed in his endeavour to cover his sin, for it will be discovered, sooner or later. There is nothing hid which shall not be revealed. A bird of the air shall carry the voice. Murder will out, and so will other sins. He shall not prosper, that is, he shall not obtain the pardon of his sin, nor can he have any true peace of conscience. David owns himself to have been in a constant agitation while he covered his sins, Ps. 32:3, 4. While the patient conceals his distemper he cannot expect a cure.
  • 2. The benefit of parting with it, both by a penitent confession and a universal reformation: He that confesses his guilt to God, and is careful not to return to sin again, shall find mercy with God, and shall have the comfort of it in his own bosom. His conscience shall be eased and his ruin prevented. See 1 Jn. 1:9; Jer. 3:12, 13. When we set sin before our face (as David, My sin is ever before me) God casts it behind his back.

Pro 28:14

Here is,

  • 1. The benefit of a holy caution. It sounds strangely, but it is very true: Happy is the man that feareth always. Most people think that those are happy who never fear; but there is a fear which is so far from having torment in it that it has in it the greatest satisfaction. Happy is the man who always keeps up in his mind a holy awe and reverence of God, his glory, goodness, and government, who is always afraid of offending God and incurring his displeasure, who keeps conscience tender and has a dread of the appearance of evil, who is always jealous of himself, distrustful of his own sufficiency, and lives in expectation of troubles and changes, so that, whenever they come, they are no surprise to him. He who keeps up such a fear as this will live a life of faith and watchfulness, and therefore happy is he, blessed and holy.
  • 2. The danger of a sinful presumption: He that hardens his heart, that mocks at fear, and sets God and his judgments at defiance, and receives not the impressions of his word or rod, shall fall into mischief; his presumption will be his ruin, and whatever sin (which is the greatest mischief) he falls into it is owing to the hardness of his heart.

Pro 28:15

It is written indeed, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people; but if he be a wicked ruler, that oppresses the people, especially the poor people, robbing them of the little they have and making a prey of them, whatever we may call him, this scripture calls him a roaring lion and a ranging bear.

  • 1. In respect of his character. He is brutish, barbarous, and blood-thirsty; he is rather to be put among the beasts of prey, the wildest and most savage, than to be reckoned of that noble rank of beings whose glory is reason and humanity.
  • 2. In respect of the mischief he does to his subjects. He is dreadful as the roaring lion, who makes the forest tremble; he is devouring as a hungry bear, and the more necessitous he is the more mischief he does and the more greedy of gain he is.

Pro 28:16

Two things are here intimated to be the causes of the mal-administration of princes:-

  • 1. The love of money, that root of all evil; for hating covetousness here stands opposed to oppression, according to Moses's character of good magistrates, men fearing God and hating covetousness (Ex. 18:21), not only not being covetous, but hating it, and shaking the hands from the holding of bribes. A ruler that is covetous will neither do justly nor love mercy, but the people under him shall be bought and sold.
  • 2. Want of consideration: He that hates covetousness shall prolong his government and peace, shall be happy in the affections of his people and the blessing of his God. It is as much the interest as the duty of princes to reign in righteousness. Oppressors therefore and tyrants are the greatest fools in the world; they want understanding; they do not consult their own honour, ease, and safety, but sacrifice all to their ambition of an absolute and arbitrary power. They might be much happier in the hearts of their subjects than in their necks or estates.

Pro 28:17

This agrees with that ancient law, Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed (Gen. 9:6), and proclaims,

  • 1. The doom of the shedder of blood. He that has committed murder, though he flees for his life, shall be continually haunted with terrors, shall himself flee to the pit, betray himself, and torment himself, like Cain, who, when he had killed his brother, became a fugitive and a vagabond, and trembled continually.
  • 2. The duty of the avenger of blood, whether the magistrate or the next of kin, or whoever are concerned in making inquisition for blood, let them be close and vigorous in the prosecution, and let it not be bought off. Those that acquit the murderer, or do any thing to help him off, come in sharers in the guilt of blood; nor can the land be purged from blood but by the blood of him that shed it, Num. 35:33.

Pro 28:18

Note,

  • 1. Those that are honest are always safe. He that acts with sincerity, that speaks as he thinks, has a single eye, in every thing, to the glory of God and the good of his brethren, that would not, for a world, do an unjust thing if he knew it, that in all manner of conversation walks uprightly, he shall be saved hereafter. We find a glorious company of those in whose mouth was found no guile, Rev. 14:5. They shall be safe now. Integrity and uprightness will preserve men, will give them a holy security in the worst of times; for it will preserve their comfort, their reputation, and all their interests. They may be injured, but they cannot be hurt.
  • 2. Those that are false and dishonest are never safe: He that is perverse in his ways, that thinks to secure himself by fraudulent practices, by dissimulation and treachery, or by an estate ill-got, he shall fall, nay, he shall fall at once, not gradually, and with warning given, but suddenly, without previous notice, for he is least safe when he is most secure. He falls at once, and so has neither time to guard against his ruin nor to provide for it; and, being a surprise upon him, it will be so much the greater terror to him.

Pro 28:19

Note,

  • 1. Those that are diligent in their callings take the way to live comfortably: He that tills his land, and tends his shop, and minds his business, whatever it is, he shall have plenty of bread, of that which is necessary for himself and his family and with which he may be charitable to the poor; he shall eat the labour of his hands.
  • 2. Those that are idle, and careless, and company-keepers, though they indulge themselves in living (as they think) easily and pleasantly, they take the way to live miserably. He that has land and values himself upon that, but does not till it, but follows after vain persons, drinks with them, joins with them in their frolics and vain sports, and idles away his time with him, he shall have poverty enough, shall be satiated or replenished with poverty (so the word is); he takes those courses which lead so directly to it that he seems to court it, and he shall have his fill of it.

Pro 28:20

Here,

  • 1. We are directed in the true way to be happy, and that is to be holy and honest. He that is faithful to God and man shall be blessed of the Lord, and he shall abound with blessings of the upper and nether springs. Men shall praise him, and pray for him, and be ready to do him any kindness. He shall abound in doing good, and shall himself be a blessing to the place where he lives. Usefulness shall be the reward of faithfulness, and it is a good reward.
  • 2. We are cautioned against a false and deceitful way to happiness, and that is, right or wrong, raising an estate suddenly. Say not, This is the way to abound with blessings, for he that makes haste to be rich, more haste than good speed, shall not be innocent; and, if he be not, he shall not be blessed of God, but rather bring a curse upon what he has; nor, if he be not innocent, can he long be easy to himself; he shall not be accounted innocent by his neighbours, but shall have their ill will and ill word. He does not say that he cannot be innocent, but there is all the probability in the world that he will not prove so: He that hasteth with his feet sinneth, stumbleth, falleth. Sed quae reverentia legum, quis metus, aut pudor, est unquam properantis avari?-What reverence for law, what fear, what shame, was ever indicated by an avaricious man hasting to be rich?

Pro 28:21

Note,

  • 1. It is a fundamental error in the administration of justice, and that which cannot but lead men to abundance of transgression, to consider the parties concerned more than the merits of the cause, so as to favour one because he is a gentleman, a scholar, my countryman, my old acquaintance, has formerly done me a kindness, or may do me one, or is of my party and persuasion, and to bear hard on the other party because he is a stranger, a poor man, has done me an ill turn, is or has been my rival, or is not of my mind, or has voted against me. Judgment is perverted when any consideration of this kind is admitted into the scale, any thing but pure right.
  • 2. Those that are partial will be paltry. Those that have once broken through the bonds of equity, though, at first, it must be some great bribe, some noble present, that would bias them, yet, when they have debauched their consciences, they will, at length, be so sordid that for a piece of bread they will give judgment against their consciences; they will rather play at small game than sit out.

Pro 28:22

Here again Solomon shows the sin and folly of those that will be rich; they are resolved that they will be so, per fas, per nefas-right or wrong; they will be so with all speed; they are getting hastily an estate.

  • 1. They have no comfort in it: They have an evil eye, that is, they are always grieving at those that have more than they, and always grudging their necessary expenses, because they think the former keep them from seeming rich, the latter from being so, and between both they must needs be perpetually uneasy.
  • 2. They have no assurance of the continuance of it, and yet take no thought to provide against the loss of it: Poverty shall come upon them, and the riches which they made wings for, that they might fly to them, will make themselves wings to fly from them; but they are secure and improvident, and do not consider this, that while they are making haste to be rich they are really making haste to be poor, else they would not trust to uncertain riches.

Pro 28:23

Note,

  • 1. Flatterers may please those for a time who, upon second thoughts, will detest and despise them. If ever they come to be convinced of the evil of those sinful courses they were flattered in, and to be ashamed of the pride and vanity which were humoured and gratified by those flatteries, they will hate the fawning flatterers as having had an ill design upon them, and the fulsome flatteries as having had an ill effect upon them and become nauseous.
  • 2. Reprovers may displease those at first who yet afterwards, when the passion is over and the bitter physic begins to work well, will love and respect them. He that deals faithfully with his friend, in telling him of his faults, though he may put him into some heat for the present, and perhaps have hard words, instead of thanks, for his pains, yet afterwards he will not only have the comfort in his own bosom of having done his duty, but he also whom he reproved will acknowledge that it was a kindness, will entertain a high opinion of his wisdom and faithfulness, and look upon him as fit to be a friend. He that cries out against his surgeon for hurting him when he is searching his wound will yet pay him well, and thank him too, when he has cured it.

Pro 28:24

As Christ shows the absurdity and wickedness of those children who think it is no duty, in some cases, to maintain their parents (Mt. 15:5), so Solomon here shows the absurdity and wickedness of those who think it is no sin to rob their parents, either by force or secretly, by wheedling them or threatening them, or by wasting what they have, and (which is no better than robbing them) running into debt and leaving them to pay it. Now,

  • 1. This is commonly made light of by untoward children; they say, "It is no transgression, for it will be our own shortly, our parents can well enough spare it, we have occasion for it, we cannot live as gentlemen upon the allowance our parents give us, it is too strait for us.' With such excuses as these they endeavour to shift off the conviction. But,
  • 2. How lightly soever an ungoverned youth makes of it, it is really a very great sin; he that does it is the companion of a destroyer, no better than a robber on the highway. What wickedness will he scruple to commit who will rob his own parents?

Pro 28:25

Note,

  • 1. Those make themselves lean, and continually unquiet, that are haughty and quarrelsome, for they are opposed to those that shall be made fat: He that is of a proud heart, that is conceited of himself and looks with a contempt upon all about him, that cannot bear either competition or contradiction, he stirs up strife, makes mischief, and creates disturbance to himself and every body else.
  • 2. Those make themselves fat, and always easy, that live in a continual dependence upon God and his grace: He who puts his trust in the Lord, who, instead of struggling for himself, commits his cause to God, shall be made fat. He saves the money which others spend upon their pride and contentiousness; he enjoys himself, and has abundant satisfaction in his God; and thus his soul dwells at ease, and he is most likely to have plenty of outward good things. None live so easily, so pleasantly, as those who live by faith.

Pro 28:26

Here is,

  • 1. The character of a fool: He trusts to his own heart, to his own wisdom and counsels, his own strength and sufficiency, his own merit and righteousness, and the good opinion he has of himself; he that does so is a fool, for he trusts to that, not only which is deceitful above all things (Jer. 17:9), but which has often deceived him. This implies that it is the character of a wise man (as before, v. 25) to put his trust in the Lord, and in his power and promise, and to follow his guidance, Prov. 3:5, 6.
  • 2. The comfort of a wise man: He that walks wisely, that trusts not to his own heart, but is humble and self-diffident, and goes on in the strength of the Lord God, he shall be delivered; when the fool, that trusts in his own heart, shall be destroyed.

Pro 28:27

Here is,

  • 1. A promise to the charitable: He that gives to the poor shall himself be never the poorer for so doing; he shall not lack. If he have but little, and so be in danger of lacking, let him give out of his little, and that will prevent it from coming to nothing; as the bounty of the widow of Sarepta to Elijah (for whom she made a little cake first) saved what she had, when it was reduced to a handful of meal. If he have much, let him give much out of it, and that will prevent its growing less; he and his shall not want what is given in pious charity. What we gave we have.
  • 2. A threatening to the uncharitable: He that hides his eyes, that he may not see the miseries of the poor nor read their petitions, lest his eye should affect his heart and extort some relief from him, he shall have many a curse, both from God and man, and neither causeless, and therefore they shall come. Woeful is the condition of that man who has the word of God and the prayers of the poor against him.

Pro 28:28

This is to the same purport with what we had, v. 12.

  • 1. When bad men are preferred, that which is good is clouded and run down. When power is put into the hands of the wicked, men hide themselves; wise men retire into privacy, and decline public business, not caring to be employed under them; rich men get out of the way, for fear of being squeezed for what they have; and, which is worst of all, good men abscond, despairing to do good and fearing to be persecuted and ill-treated.
  • 2. When bad men are disgraced, degraded, and their power taken from them, then that which is good revives again, then the righteous increase; for, when they perish, good men will be put in their room, who will, by their example and interest, countenance religion and righteousness. It is well with a land when the number of good people increases in it; and it is therefore the policy of all princes, states, and potentates, to encourage them and to take special care of the good education of youth.