281 The wicked flee when no one is pursuing , But the righteous are bold as a lion .
2 By the transgression of a land many are its princes , But by a man of understanding and knowledge , so it endures .
3 A poor man who oppresses the lowly Is like a driving rain which leaves no food .
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked , But those who keep the law strive with them.
5 Evil men do not understand justice , But those who seek the Lord understand all things .
6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than he who is crooked e though he be rich .
7 He who keeps the law is a discerning son , But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father .
8 He who increases his wealth by interest and usury Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor .
9 He who turns away his ear from listening to the law , Even his prayer is an abomination .
10 He who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit , But the blameless will inherit good .
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes , But the poor who has understanding sees through him.
12 When the righteous triumph , there is great glory , But when the wicked rise , men hide themselves.
13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper , But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 28:1-13
Commentary on Proverbs 28:1
(Read Proverbs 28:1)
Sin makes men cowards. Whatever difficulties the righteous meet in the way of duty, they are not daunted.
Commentary on Proverbs 28:2
(Read Proverbs 28:2)
National sins disturb the public repose.
Commentary on Proverbs 28:3
(Read Proverbs 28:3)
If needy persons get opportunities of oppressing, their extortion will be more severe than that of the more wealthy.
Commentary on Proverbs 28:4
(Read Proverbs 28:4)
Wicked people strengthen one another in wicked ways.
Commentary on Proverbs 28:5
(Read Proverbs 28:5)
If a man seeks the Lord, it is a good sign that he understands much, and it is a good means of understanding more.
Commentary on Proverbs 28:6
(Read Proverbs 28:6)
An honest, godly, poor man, is better than a wicked, ungodly, rich man; has more comfort in himself, and is a greater blessing to the world.
Commentary on Proverbs 28:7
(Read Proverbs 28:7)
Companions of riotous men not only grieve their parents, but shame them.
Commentary on Proverbs 28:8
(Read Proverbs 28:8)
That which is ill got, though it may increase much, will not last long. Thus the poor are repaid, and God is glorified.
Commentary on Proverbs 28:9
(Read Proverbs 28:9)
The sinner at whose prayers God is angry, is one who obstinately refuses to obey God's commands.
Commentary on Proverbs 28:10
(Read Proverbs 28:10)
The success of ungodly men is their own misery.
Commentary on Proverbs 28:11
(Read Proverbs 28:11)
Rich men are so flattered, that they think themselves superior to others.
Commentary on Proverbs 28:12
(Read Proverbs 28:12)
There is glory in the land when the righteous have liberty.
Commentary on Proverbs 28:13
(Read Proverbs 28:13)
It is folly to indulge sin, and excuse it. He who covers his sins, shall not have any true peace. He who humbly confesses his sins, with true repentance and faith, shall find mercy from God. The Son of God is our great atonement. Under a deep sense of our guilt and danger, we may claim salvation from that mercy which reigns through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord.