Proverbs 28:1-28
1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor 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 judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companiona of riotous men shameth his father.
8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
10 Whoso 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.
11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.b
13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay 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 land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.c
21 To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
22 He that hastethd to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall 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.e
25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
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.
Proverbs 28:2. By a man of understanding the state shall be prolonged. Who can value the Samuels in Israel; the Gracchuses in Rome; the Walpoles, the Chathams in England? In Lord Chatham's time it was said, “We have a Pitt in England that will hold all France.” When counsel is denied to a nation, it is a sad mark of God's highest displeasure against a guilty people. Per hominem, peritum, incolumitas reflorescet.SCHULTENS. The safety of a nation revives and flourishes by a man of wisdom and experience.
Proverbs 28:4. They that forsake the law praise the wicked, by openly espousing their cause. See the term “law” defined in Psalms 1 and Psalms 119:1.
Proverbs 28:10. Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray. This is the foulest crime that a man can commit, because the sins of religious professors are very much noticed. They cause the wicked to rejoice, they discourage man from becoming righteous, and they highly provoke the Lord. He who leads a good man to intemperance, and what is worse, he who in the time of persecution, causes him to leave the truth, shall surely receive a sevenfold punishment. Read the miserable deaths of those who persecuted the church, as recorded by Eusebius, Lactantius, and other fathers, and then say, what awaits sins of so gross a kind.
Proverbs 28:13. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper. He daily tells a thousand lies to cover a single crime. These are all an additional canker and rust to his sins. His countenance droops, the worm gnaws within; and God's correcting rod, in one way or other, will give a reverse to his health and peace. When a man has sinned, it is best to be simple, and to fall into the hands of the Lord by a repentance attended with fruits. Happy then is the man that feareth always.
Proverbs 28:17. A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit. Jos. Kimchi expounds this of “an oppressor, who causes the death of another by hunger or cruelty; a wretch who shall descend to gehenna.” Then the hard-hearted man, who slowly kills another man's body, shall destroy himself both body and soul.
Proverbs 28:24. Whoso robbeth his father or his mother. Then, oh young man, keep at a distance from taverns, from gamesters, from harlots, that you may not be tempted to commit so great a sin. By doing wrong to your parents, you leave the paths of life and health, to associate with destroyers.
Proverbs 28:26. He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool. He does not know his heart. He is ignorant that it is deceitful and desperately wicked. The voluptuous heart will revel in sin, the covetous will thirst for gold, the vindictive heart will burn with revenge. How many, feeling the smart and anguish of their sin, have made vows, oaths, and promises, that they would never repeat the fault. After awhile the pain has been removed, and the old heart went the old way; they forgot the promise, and repeated the sin. We ought to know that it is not vows but grace which saves the soul; yea, grace which trembles at the smallest sin, and runs to God for preservation. Oh how we should pray and wrestle and strive sooner than yield; for then our folly would be the sport of fools. And how should we be able to look to God, or meet the eyes of his church?