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Proverbs 28

Proverbs 28 measures wealth and power by obedience to God, exposing the harm of greed and the folly of self-trust.

Wicked rulers send people into hiding, while greedy people exploit the poor and rush after wealth. Through a series of short sayings, a wisdom teacher addresses those learning to live under God’s law. The contrasts move between public rule and household life, weighing integrity against riches and honest correction against flattery. At the center stands a promise of mercy for those who confess and renounce their sins, alongside a warning against refusing to hear God’s law.

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1The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
3A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.
4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them.
5Evil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.
6Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
7Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.
9He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
10Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good.
11The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
16A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
17A man who is tormented by blood guilt will be a fugitive until death. No one will support him.
18Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.
19One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
21To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.
23One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.
24Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is a partner with a destroyer.
25One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
26One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
27One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected.
Key verses
Proverbs 28:26This saying challenges self-trust after repeated warnings about people whose pursuit of wealth blinds them to danger.
Proverbs 28:13The promise of mercy joins confession with renouncing sin, making an honest response to wrongdoing central to wisdom.
Proverbs 28:9This warning binds prayer to obedience: refusing to hear God’s law corrupts even an act of worship.
Where this chapter reaches

Psalm and 1 John share the link between confession of sin and God’s forgiveness, alongside warnings about concealing wrongdoing. Isaiah and Jeremiah share the warning that prayer and worship become unacceptable when people refuse God’s instruction and persist in injustice.

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Notice

After reading the whole chapter

What distinction between having wealth and having wisdom stands out to you in these sayings?

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How does the pairing of confession and renouncing sin shape your understanding of mercy?

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Questions people ask about Proverbs 28

What does Proverbs 28:13 mean by confessing and renouncing sins?

The verse contrasts concealing sins with acknowledging and abandoning them. Confession names the wrong; renouncing it means turning away from it. Mercy is promised to the person who takes that open, repentant course. The saying does not specify a ritual or identify the person to whom confession is made.

Why does Proverbs 28:9 call someone’s prayer an abomination?

The warning concerns someone who turns away from hearing God’s law. Such prayer is offensive because the person seeks to address God while refusing his instruction. The surrounding sayings connect obedience with justice and integrity. Verse 13 also promises mercy to those who confess and renounce their sins.

Does Proverbs 28 promise that righteous people will always be rich and safe?

These sayings describe the paths of wisdom and folly and their outcomes under God’s rule. Their wisdom form does not set a timetable or promise freedom from every hardship. The chapter itself recognizes upright poor people and helpless people harmed by wicked rulers. Verse 6 places integrity above riches.

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What the Bible says about guilt →What the Bible says about anger →

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).