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!
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).