28:1 Evil people ·run [flee] ·even though [or when] no one ·is chasing [pursues] them [Lev. 26:17, 36], but ·good [righteous] people are as ·brave [confident] as a lion.
28:2 When a country ·is lawless [or rebels; or transgresses], it has ·one ruler after another [or many rulers/leaders]; but when it is led by a ·leader [L person] with understanding, it ·continues strong [or has lasting order].
28:3 ·Rulers [or Poor people] who ·mistreat [oppress] the poor are like a hard rain that ·destroys the crops [washes away the food].
28:4 Those who ·disobey what they have been taught [forsake/abandon instruction/law] praise the wicked, but those who ·obey what they have been taught [guard instruction/law] ·are against [battle] them.
28:5 Evil people do not understand justice, but those who ·follow [seek] the Lord understand ·it completely [or everything].
28:6 It is better to be poor and ·innocent [walk blamelessly] than to be rich and ·wicked [L be on crooked paths].
28:7 Children who ·obey what they have been taught [protect instruction/law] are wise, but friends of ·troublemakers [or gluttons] disgrace their parents [Deut. 28:18–21].
28:8 Some people get rich by ·overcharging others [L interest and surcharge; Ex. 22:25; Deut. 23:20], but their wealth will be given to those who are ·kind [gracious] to the poor.
28:9 If you ·refuse to obey [turn your ear away from] ·what you have been taught [L hearing instruction], your prayers will ·not be heard [be detested/an abomination].
28:10 Those who lead ·good [virtuous] people to ·do wrong [L go on an evil path] will ·be ruined by their own evil [L fall into their own pit], but the ·innocent [blameless] will ·be rewarded with [L inherit] good things.
28:11 Rich people may ·think they are wise [L be wise in their own eyes], but the poor with understanding will ·prove them wrong [see through them].
28:12 When ·good [righteous] people ·triumph [or rejoice], there is great happiness, but when the wicked ·get control [L rise up], everybody hides.
28:13 If you hide your sins, you will not succeed. If you confess and ·reject [abandon] them, you will receive ·mercy [compassion].
28:14 Those who ·are always respectful [or always fear the Lord; L always fear] will be ·happy [blessed], but those ·who are stubborn [L whose hearts are hard] will get into trouble.
28:15 A wicked ruler over poor people is like a ·roaring [growling] lion or a ·charging [prowling] bear [C dangerous or frightening].
28:16 A ·ruler [prince] without ·wisdom [understanding] will be cruel, but the one who ·refuses to take [hates] ·dishonest money [unjust gain/profit] will ·rule [or live] a long time.
28:17 Don’t help those who are ·guilty of [oppressed/burdened by] murder; let them ·run [flee] ·until they die [L to the pit/grave; Gen. 9:5–6].
28:18 ·Innocent people [L Those who walk in innocence/blamelessness] will be ·kept safe [saved], but those who ·are dishonest [twist paths] will ·suddenly be ruined [L fall in one; C perhaps a pit or the grave].
28:19 Those who work their land will have plenty of food, but the ones who ·chase empty dreams instead [L pursue emptiness] will end up poor.
28:20 A ·truthful [reliable] person will have many blessings, but those ·eager to get rich [or with get-rich-quick schemes] will be punished.
28:21 It is not good ·for a judge to take sides [to show favoritism/partiality; L to recognize faces], but some will ·sin [transgress; do wrong] for only a piece of bread.
28:22 ·Selfish [Stingy] people are in a hurry to get rich and do not ·realize [know] they soon will be poor.
28:23 Those who correct others will later ·be liked [find favor] more than those who ·give false praise [L have a flattering tongue].
28:24 Whoever robs father or mother and says, “It’s not ·wrong [a crime],” is ·just like someone who destroys things [or friends with thugs; Ex. 20:12].
28:25 A greedy person ·causes trouble [L stirs up conflict], but the one who trusts the Lord will ·succeed [escape].
28:26 Those who trust in ·themselves [L their own hearts] are foolish, but those who ·live wisely [L walk in wisdom] will be ·kept safe [or refreshed].
28:27 Whoever gives to the poor will ·have everything he needs [L lack nothing], but the one who ·ignores [turns a blind eye to] the poor will receive many curses.
28:28 When the wicked ·get control [rise up], everybody hides, but when they ·die [are destroyed], ·good [righteous] people ·do well [or multiply; increase].
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