Stop searching everywhere for answers. Bible Gateway Plus puts trusted insights right alongside the passage you’re reading. Free 7-day trial.
Log In/Sign Up

#
Proverbs 28
New King James Version

### The Righteous Are Bold as a Lion

28 The (A)wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;
But by a man of understanding and knowledge
Right will be prolonged.

3 (B)A poor man who oppresses the poor
Is like a driving rain [a]which leaves no food.

4 (C)Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
(D)But such as keep the law contend with them.

5 (E)Evil men do not understand justice,
But (F)those who seek the Lord understand all.

6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

7 Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,
But a companion of gluttons shames his father.

8 One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion
Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.

9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
(G)Even his prayer is an abomination.

10 (H)Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,
He himself will fall into his own pit;
(I)But the blameless will inherit good.

11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding searches him out.

12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great (J)glory;
But when the wicked arise, men [b]hide themselves.

13 (K)He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

14 Happy is the man who is always reverent,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

15 (L)Like a roaring lion and a charging bear
(M)Is a wicked ruler over poor people.

16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a great (N)oppressor,
But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.

17 (O)A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit;
Let no one help him.

18 Whoever walks blamelessly will be [c]saved,
But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.

19 (P)He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!

20 A faithful man will abound with blessings,
(Q)But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

21 (R)To [d]show partiality is not good,
(S)Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches,
And does not consider that (T)poverty will come upon him.

23 (U)He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward
Than he who flatters with the tongue.

24 Whoever robs his father or his mother,
And says, “It is no transgression,”
The same (V)is companion to a destroyer.

25 (W)He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,
(X)But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.

26 He who (Y)trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

27 (Z)He who gives to the poor will not lack,
But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

28 When the wicked arise, (AA)men hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.

#### Footnotes

1. Proverbs 28:3 Lit. and there is no bread
2. Proverbs 28:12 Lit. will be searched for
3. Proverbs 28:18 delivered
4. Proverbs 28:21 Lit. recognize faces

#### Cross references

1. Proverbs 28:1 : Lev. 26:17, 36; Ps. 53:5
2. Proverbs 28:3 : Matt. 18:28
3. Proverbs 28:4 : Ps. 49:18; Rom. 1:32
4. Proverbs 28:4 : 1 Kin. 18:18; Neh. 13:11, 15; Matt. 3:7; 14:4; Eph. 5:11
5. Proverbs 28:5 : Ps. 92:6; Is. 6:9; 44:18
6. Proverbs 28:5 : Ps. 119:100; Prov. 2:9; John 17:17; 1 Cor. 2:15; [1 John 2:20, 27]
7. Proverbs 28:9 : Ps. 66:18; 109:7; Prov. 15:8
8. Proverbs 28:10 : Ps. 7:15; Prov. 26:27
9. Proverbs 28:10 : [Matt. 6:33; Heb. 6:12; 1 Pet. 3:9]
10. Proverbs 28:12 : Prov. 11:10; 29:2
11. Proverbs 28:13 : Ps. 32:3–5; 1 John 1:8–10
12. Proverbs 28:15 : Prov. 19:12; 1 Pet. 5:8
13. Proverbs 28:15 : Ex. 1:14; Prov. 29:2; Matt. 2:16
14. Proverbs 28:16 : Eccl. 10:16; Is. 3:12
15. Proverbs 28:17 : Gen. 9:6
16. Proverbs 28:19 : Prov. 12:11; 20:13
17. Proverbs 28:20 : Prov. 13:11; 20:21; 23:4; 1 Tim. 6:9
18. Proverbs 28:21 : Prov. 18:5
19. Proverbs 28:21 : Ezek. 13:19
20. Proverbs 28:22 : Prov. 21:5
21. Proverbs 28:23 : Prov. 27:5, 6
22. Proverbs 28:24 : Prov. 18:9
23. Proverbs 28:25 : Prov. 13:10
24. Proverbs 28:25 : Prov. 29:25; 1 Tim. 6:6
25. Proverbs 28:26 : Prov. 3:5
26. Proverbs 28:27 : Deut. 15:7; Prov. 19:17; 22:9
27. Proverbs 28:28 : Job 24:4

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

#### Bible Gateway Recommends

NKJV, Chronological Study Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NKJV, The Everyday Bible, Red Letter, Comfort Print: 365 Daily Readings Through the Whole Bible
Retail: $29.99
Our Price: $20.99
Save: $9.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NKJV Study Bible, Full-Color, Comfort Print: The Complete Resource for Studying God’s Word
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NKJV, Woman's Study Bible, Red Letter, Full-Color: Receiving God's Truth for Balance, Hope, and Transformation
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NKJV, Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Third Edition, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Kingdom Equipping Through the Power of the Word
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NKJV, The Prayer Bible, Red Letter, Comfort Print
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $35.99
Save: $24.00 (40%)
Buy Now
View more titles