Proverbs
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Proverbs 28
Proverbs 28
1The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion.
1The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Commentary · verse 1
2For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; But by men of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
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.
Commentary · verse 2
Men of understanding and knowledge brought long term benefits.
3A needy man that oppresseth the poor Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4They that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them.
5Evil men understand not justice; But they that seek Jehovah understand all things.
3A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
5Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
Commentary · verses 3-5
Evil men did not understand Justice. Those who sought God understood all things. Notice, Justice and Jehovah were the comparisons in this verse. This was because God was Just.
6Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
6Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
Commentary · verse 6
It was better to do right and have nothing than have much and do wrong.
7Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father.
8He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.
9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.
7Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
8He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
Commentary · verses 7-9
Those who did not even attempt to understand the Law (God's guidance) were not heard by God. Their prayers were an abomination!
10Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit; But the perfect shall inherit good.
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.
Commentary · verse 10
The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 14:13 that the only thing we (believers) ought to judge is if a stumblingblock is put in the path of a believer. Judge the stumblingblock, not the person.
11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
Commentary · verses 11-12
Men suffered when the wicked were in a position of power.
13He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.
13He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Commentary · verse 13
Confession and repentance granted you mercy.
14Happy is the man that feareth alway; But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear, So is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
14Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
Commentary · verses 14-15
A wicked ruler was as an animal that was only focused on itself and its survival, no one else.
16The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17A man that is laden with the blood of any person Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him.
18Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered; But he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
16The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
18Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
Commentary · verses 16-18
Whoever walked (made progress) uprightly (Righteously through grace) would be saved.
19He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
19He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
Commentary · verse 19
Those who were profitable would receive profit. Those who depended on the profit of others would be poor.
20A faithful man shall abound with blessings; But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.
20A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
Commentary · verse 20
Is God your cause of money or is money your cause?
21To have respect of persons is not good; Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.
21To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
Commentary · verse 21
God was not a respecter of persons. This meant God gave and then gave everyone the opportunity to follow Him and make that choice. We also should give others the opportunity to be excellent.
22He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches, And knoweth not that want shall come upon him.
23He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favor Than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, The same is the companion of a destroyer.
22He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
23He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
Commentary · verses 22-24
You were considered a friend of a destroyer (an evil one) if you said that robbing your father or mother was not a transgression.
25He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife; But he that putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be made fat.
25He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
Commentary · verse 25
If your focus was on your faith in God, you would be given plenty in the long term.
26He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
26He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
Commentary · verses 26-27
Solomon encouraged the reader to give to the poor. He that did give to the poor would not lack. Did Solomon take his own advice?
28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.
28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Commentary · verse 28
This chapter seemed to contrast the righteous with the wicked.
Proverbs 25-28 covered the final proverbs of Solomon. They read like a summary: advice from a king/judge, frustration with fools, interactions between people, and contrasting the righteous with the wicked. The next chapter was Solomon's final chapter in the Book of Proverbs...
The wicked were guilty and paranoid (they ran when no one was chasing them). The righteous were confident because they were willing to consider they could be wrong. If you are trying to find out where you are wrong, what do you have to be afraid of?