281 The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer. And the righteous as a young lion is confident.
2 By the transgression of a land many 'are' its heads. And by an intelligent man, Who knoweth right—it is prolonged.
3 A man—poor and oppressing the weak, 'Is' a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
4 Those forsaking the law praise the wicked, Those keeping the law plead against them.
5 Evil men understand not judgment, And those seeking Jehovah understand all.
6 Better 'is' the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.
7 Whoso is keeping the law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons, Doth cause his father to blush.
8 Whoso is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, For one favouring the poor doth gather it.
9 Whoso is turning his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer 'is' an abomination.
10 Whoso is causing the upright to err in an evil way, Into his own pit he doth fall, And the perfect do inherit good.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searcheth him.
12 In the exulting of the righteous the glory 'is' abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.
13 Whoso is covering his transgressions prospereth not, And he who is confessing and forsaking hath 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.