Proverbs 28 is the 28th chapter of the Book of Proverbs in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.[1] The book is a compilation of several wisdom literature collections, with the heading in 1:1 may be intended to regard Solomon as the traditional author of the whole book, but the dates of the individual collections are difficult to determine, and the book probably obtained its final shape in the post-exilic period. This chapter is the last part of the fifth collection of the book,[2] so-called "the Second Solomonic Collection."
The following table shows the Hebrew text[3] [4] of Proverbs 28 with vowels alongside an English translation based upon the JPS 1917 translation (now in the public domain).
| Verse | Hebrew | English translation (JPS 1917) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are secure as a young lion. | |
| 2 | For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; But by a man of understanding and knowledge established order shall long continue. | |
| 3 | A poor man that oppresseth the weak 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 the LORD 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 | A wise son observeth the teaching; But he that is a companion of gluttonous men shameth his father. | |
| 8 | He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, 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, He shall fall himself into his own pit; But the whole-hearted shall inherit good. | |
| 11 | The rich man is wise in his own eyes; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him through. | |
| 12 | When the righteous exult, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men must be sought for. | |
| 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 evil. | |
| 15 | As a roaring lion, and a ravenous 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 hasten his steps unto the pit; none will support 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 ground shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain things 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; For a man will transgress for a piece of bread. | |
| 22 | He that hath an evil eye hasteneth after riches, And knoweth not that want shall come upon him. | |
| 23 | He that rebuketh a man shall in the end 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 greedy spirit stirreth up strife; But he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be abundantly gratified. | |
| 26 | He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; But whoso walketh wisely, he shall escape. | |
| 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. | |
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text, which includes the Aleppo Codex (10th century), and Codex Leningradensis (1008).
There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BC; some extant ancient manuscripts of this version include Codex Vaticanus (B;
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This chapter belongs to a further collection of Solomonic proverbs, transmitted andedited by royal scribes during the reign of Hezekiah, comprising Proverbs 25–29. Based on differences in style and subject-matter there could be two originally separate collections:
The wicked flee when no one pursues,
but the righteous are bold as a lion.[5]
New Revised Standard Version attempts to clarify the verse with a more intelligible reading:
The reign of Hezekiah is associated with attempts to restore the union of Judah and Israel by political and religious means, which both proved unsuccessful.[7]
In the Septuagint, this verse is presented as a saying about quarrelling:
. Michael D. Coogan . The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books: New Revised Standard Version, Issue 48 . Coogan . Michael David . Marc Zvi . Brettler . Carol Ann . Newsom . Pheme . Perkins . Augmented 3rd . Oxford University Press . 2007 . 9780195288810 .
. Michael V. Fox . Proverbs 10-31: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary . Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries . Yale University Press . 2009 . 978-0300155563.
. Henry Hampton Halley. Halley's Bible Handbook: an abbreviated Bible commentary . 24th (revised). Zondervan Publishing House . 1965 . 0-310-25720-4.