281 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 When a land rebels it has many rulers; but with an intelligent ruler there is lasting order.
3 A ruler who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law struggle against them.
5 The evil do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.
6 Better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be crooked in one's ways even though rich.
7 Those who keep the law are wise children, but companions of gluttons shame their parents.
8 One who augments wealth by exorbitant interest gathers it for another who is kind to the poor.
9 When one will not listen to the law, even one's prayers are an abomination.
10 Those who mislead the upright into evil ways will fall into pits of their own making, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
11 The rich is wise in self-esteem, but an intelligent poor person sees through the pose.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked prevail, people go into hiding.
13 No one who conceals transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
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.