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.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 28
Commentary on Proverbs 28 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 28
Pr 28:1-28.
1. A bad conscience makes men timid; the righteous are alone truly bold (Pr 14:26; Ps 27:1).
2. Anarchy producing contending rulers shortens the reign of each.
but by a man … prolonged—or, "by a man of understanding—that is, a good ruler—he who knows or regards the right, that is, a good citizen, shall prolong (his days)." Good rulers are a blessing to the people. Bad government as a punishment for evil is contrasted with good as blessing to the good.
3. A poor man, &c.—Such, in power, exact more severely, and so leave subjects bare.
4. They that forsake … wicked—Wrongdoers encourage one another.
5. (Compare Joh 7:17). Ignorance of moral truth is due to unwillingness to know it.
6. (Compare Pr 10:6). Riches cannot compensate for sin, nor the want of them affect integrity.
7. (Compare Pr 17:25).
riotous men—or, "gluttons" (Pr 23:20, 21).
8. usury … unjust gain—(Compare Margin). The two terms, meaning nearly the same, may denote excessive interest. God's providence directs the proper use of wealth.
9. (Compare Pr 15:8; 21:27).
hearing—that is, obeying. God requires sincere worshippers (Ps 66:18; Joh 4:24).
10. (Compare Pr 26:27).
11. A poor but wise man can discover (and expose) the rich and self-conceited.
12. great glory—or, cause for it to a people, for the righteous rejoice in good, and righteousness exalts a nation (Pr 14:34).
a man … hidden—that is, the good retire, or all kinds try to escape a wicked rule.
13. (Compare Ps 32:3-5). Concealment of sin delivers none from God's wrath, but He shows mercy to the humble penitent (Ps 51:4).
14. feareth—that is, God, and so repents.
hardeneth his heart—makes himself insensible to sin, and so will not repent (Pr 14:16; 29:1).
15. The rapacity and cruelty of such beasts well represent some wicked men (compare Ps 7:2; 17:12).
16. The prince … understanding—that is, He does not perceive that oppression jeopards his success. Covetousness often produces oppression, hence the contrast.
17. doeth violence … blood, &c.—or, that is oppressed by the blood of life (Ge 9:6), which he has taken.
to the pit—the grave or destruction (Pr 1:12; Job 33:18-24; Ps 143:7).
stay him—sustain or deliver him.
18. (Compare Pr 10:9; 17:20). Double dealing is eventually fatal.
19. (Compare Pr 10:4; 20:4).
vain persons—idle, useless drones, implying that they are also wicked (Pr 12:11; Ps 26:4).
20. maketh haste … rich—implying deceit or fraud (Pr 20:21), and so opposed to "faithful" or reliable.
21. respect of persons—(Pr 24:23). Such are led to evil by the slightest motive.
22. (Compare Pr 28:20).
evil eye—in the general sense of Pr 23:6, here more specific for covetousness (compare Pr 22:9; Mt 20:15).
poverty … him—by God's providence.
23. (Compare Pr 9:8, 9; 27:5). Those benefited by reproof will love their monitors.
24. (Compare Mt 15:4-6). Such, though heirs, are virtually thieves, to be ranked with highwaymen.
25. of a proud heart—literally, "puffed up of soul"—that is, self-confident, and hence overbearing and litigious.
made fat—or, "prosperous" (Pr 11:25; 16:20).
26. (Compare Pr 3:6-8).
walketh wisely—that is, trusting in God (Pr 22:17-19).
27. (Compare Pr 11:24-26).
hideth his eyes—as the face (Ps 27:9; 69:17), denotes inattention.
28. The elevation of the wicked to power drives men to seek refuge from tyranny (compare Pr 28:12; 11:10; Ps 12:8).