Wealth, Poverty, and Uprightness

Proverbs 28

This chapter contrasts the confidence of the righteous with the anxious flight of the wicked, observing that keeping the law, honest gain, and care for the poor lead to lasting good while injustice and self-conceit lead to ruin. It also warns against becoming surety for a man guilty of bloodshed and against trusting a bold heart above the Lord, and commends the man who tills his own land and gives generously to the needy.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonTHE wicked fleeth when none pursueth: but the righteous is bold as a lion.

BrentonThe ungodly man flees when no one pursues: but the righteous is confident as a lion.

GreekΦεύγει ἀσεβὴς μηδενὸς διώκοντος, δίκαιος δὲ ὥσπερ λέων πέποιθε.

KJVThe wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

JPSThe wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are secure as a young lion.

Thomson—

BrentonBy reason of the sins of ungodly men quarrels arise; but a wise man will quell them.

GreekΔιʼ ἁμαρτίας ἀσεβῶν κρίσεις ἐγείρονται, ἀνὴρ δὲ πανοῦργος κατασβέσει αὐτάς.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonA mighty man by wicked acts oppresseth the poor. As a sweeping rain is indeed unprofitable,

BrentonA bold man oppresses the poor by ungodly deeds. As an impetuous and unprofitable rain,

GreekἈνδρεῖος ἐν ἀσεβείαις συκοφαντεῖ πτωχούς· ὥσπερ ὑετὸς λάβρος καὶ ἀνωφελὴς,

KJVA poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

JPSA poor man that oppresseth the weak Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

Thomsonso are they who forsake the law and applaud iniquity: but they who love the law encompass themselves with a wall.

Brentonso they that forsake the law praise ungodliness; but they that love the law fortify themselves with a wall.

Greekοὕτως οἱ ἐγκαταλείποντες τὸν νόμον ἐγκωμιάζουσιν ἀσέβειαν· οἱ δὲ ἀγαπῶντες τὸν νόμον, περιβάλλουσιν ἑαυτοῖς τεῖχος.

KJVThey that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

JPSThey that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them.

ThomsonBad men will not understand judgment: but they who seek the Lord will be wise in everything.

BrentonEvil men will not understand judgment: but they that seek the Lord will understand everything.

GreekἌνδρες κακοὶ οὐ συνήσουσι κρίμα, οἱ δὲ ζητοῦντες τὸν Κύριον συνήσουσιν ἐν παντί.

KJVEvil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

JPSEvil men understand not justice; But they that seek the LORD understand all things.

ThomsonBetter is a poor man who walketh in truth than a rich liar.

BrentonA poor man walking in truth is better than a rich liar.

GreekΚρείσσων πτωχὸς πορευόμενος ἐν ἀληθείᾳ, πλουσίου ψευδοῦς.

KJVBetter is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

JPSBetter is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

ThomsonA wise son keepeth the law; but he who feedeth prodigality dishonoureth his father.

BrentonA wise son keeps the law: but he that keeps up debauchery dishonours his father.

GreekΦυλάσσει νόμον υἱὸς συνετὸς, ὃς δὲ ποιμαίνει ἀσωτίαν ἀτιμάζει πατέρα.

KJVWhoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

JPSA wise son observeth the teaching; But he that is a companion of gluttonous men shameth his father.

ThomsonHe who increaseth his wealth by usury and unjust gain; gathereth it for him who will pity the poor.

BrentonHe that increases his wealth by usuries and unjust gains, gathers it for him that pities the poor.

GreekὉ πληθύνων τὸν πλοῦτον αὐτοῦ μετὰ τόκων καὶ πλεονασμῶν, τῷ ἐλεῶντι πτωχοὺς συνάγει αὐτόν.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonAs for him who turneth away his ear from hearkening to the law; even his prayer is an abomination.

BrentonHe that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even he has made his prayer abominable.

GreekὉ ἐκκλίνων τὸ οὖς αὐτοῦ μὴ εἰσακοῦσαι νόμου, καὶ αὐτὸς τὴν προσευχὴν αὐτοῦ ἐβδέλυκται.

KJVHe that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

JPSHe that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.

ThomsonHe who causeth the righteous to wander in an evil way shall himself fall into destruction. The upright shall have good things in possession: but the unrighteous shall pass by good things and shall not enter into them.

BrentonHe that causes upright men to err in an evil way, himself shall fall into destruction: transgressors also shall pass by prosperity, but shall not enter into it.

GreekὋς πλανᾷ εὐθεῖς ἐν ὁδῷ κακῇ, εἰς διαφθορὰν αὐτὸς ἐμπεσεῖται· οἱ δὲ ἄνομοι διελεύσονται ἀγαθὰ, καὶ οὐκ εἰσελεύσονται εἰς αὐτά.

KJVWhoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.

JPSWhoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit; But the whole-hearted shall inherit good.

ThomsonA rich man is wise in his own conceit. But a poor man who hath understanding will disregard him.

BrentonA rich man is wise in his own conceit; but an intelligent poor man will condemn him.

GreekΣοφὸς παρʼ ἑαυτῷ ἀνὴρ πλούσιος, πένης δὲ νοήμων καταγνώσεται αὐτοῦ.

KJVThe rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

JPSThe rich man is wise in his own eyes; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him through.

ThomsonFor helping the righteous there is great glory: but in the places of the ungodly, men are entrapped.

BrentonBy reason of the help of righteous men great glory arises: but in the places of the ungodly men are caught.

GreekΔιὰ βοήθειαν δικαίων πολλὴ γίνεται δόξα, ἐν δὲ τόποις ἀσεβῶν ἁλίσκονται ἄνθρωποι.

KJVWhen righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

JPSWhen the righteous exult, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men must be sought for.

Thomson—

BrentonHe that covers his own ungodliness shall not prosper: but he that blames himself shall be loved.

GreekὉ ἐπικαλύπτων ἀσέβειαν ἑαυτοῦ οὐκ εὐοδωθήσεται, ὁ δὲ ἐξηγούμενος ἐλέγχους ἀγαπηθήσεται.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonHappy the man who piously reverenceth all things: but he who is of an intractable temper will fall into evils.

BrentonBlessed is the man who religiously fears always: but the hard of heart shall fall into mischiefs.

GreekΜακάριος ἀνὴρ ὃς καταπτήσσει πάντα διʼ εὐλάβειαν, ὁ δὲ σκληρὸς τὴν καρδίαν ἐμπεσεῖται κακοῖς.

KJVHappy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

JPSHappy is the man that feareth alway; But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into evil.

ThomsonHe who ruleth over a poor nation, himself being poor, is a hungry lion and a ravening wolf.

BrentonA hungry lion and a thirsty wolf is he, who, being poor, rules over a poor nation.

GreekΛέων πεινῶν καὶ λύκος διψῶν, ὃς τυραννεῖ, πτωχὸς ὢν, ἔθνους πενιχροῦ.

KJVAs a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

JPSAs a roaring lion, and a ravenous bear; So is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

ThomsonA king straitened in his revenue is a great oppressor: but he who hateth injustice shall live long.

BrentonA king in need of revenues is a great oppressor: but he that hates injustice shall live a long time.

GreekΒασιλεὺς ἐνδεὴς προσόδων μέγας συκοφάντης, ὁ δὲ μισῶν ἀδικίαν μακρὸν χρόνον ζήσεται.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonHe who is bail for a man in a case of murder, shall be a fugitive, but not in safety. Correct a son and he will love thee and be an ornament to thy life; he will not hearken to an unrighteous nation.

BrentonHe that becomes surety for a man charged with murder shall be an exile, and not in safety.

GreekἌνδρα τὸν ἐν αἰτίᾳ φόνου ὁ ἐγγυώμενος, φυγὰς ἔσται καὶ οὐκ ἐν ἀσφαλείᾳ·

KJV—

JPS—

17a

Thomson—

BrentonChasten thy son, and he shall love thee, and give honour to thy soul: he shall not obey a sinful nation.

Greekπαίδευε υἱὸν καὶ ἀγαπήσει σε, καὶ δώσει κόσμον τῇ σῇ ψυχῇ, οὐ μὴ ὑπακούσει ἔθνει παρανόμῳ.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonHe who walketh righteously will be helped: but he who walketh in crooked ways will be entangled.

BrentonHe that walks justly is assisted: but he that walks in crooked ways shall be entangled therein.

GreekὉ πορευόμενος δικαίως βεβοήθηται, ὁ δὲ σκολιαῖς ὁδοῖς πορευόμενος ἐμπλακήσεται.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonHe who tilleth his own ground shall have plenty of bread; but he who followeth idleness, shall have plenty of poverty.

BrentonHe that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows idleness shall have plenty of poverty.

GreekὉ ἐργαζόμενος τὴν ἑαυτοῦ γῆν πλησθήσεται ἄρτων, ὁ δὲ διώκων σχολὴν πλησθήσεται πενίας.

KJVHe that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

JPSHe that tilleth his ground shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain things shall have poverty enough.

ThomsonA faithful man will be much praised; but the wicked shall not escape punishment.

BrentonA man worthy of credit shall be much blessed: but the wicked shall not be unpunished.

GreekἈνὴρ ἀξιόπιστος πολλὰ εὐλογηθήσεται, ὁ δὲ κακὸς οὐκ ἀτιμώρητος ἔσται.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonHe who regardeth not the persons of the righteous, is not good: such a one will deliver up a man for a morsel of bread.

BrentonHe that reverences not the persons of the just is not good: such a one will sell a man for a morsel of bread.

GreekὋς οὐκ αἰσχύνεται πρόσωπα δικαίων, οὐκ ἀγαθὸς, ὁ τοιοῦτος ψωμοῦ ἄρτου ἀποδώσεται ἄνδρα.

KJVTo have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

JPSTo have respect of persons is not good; For a man will transgress for a piece of bread.

ThomsonAn envious man hasteth to be rich, and knoweth not that the bountiful shall have mastery over him.

BrentonAn envious man makes haste to be rich, and knows not that the merciful man will have the mastery over him.

GreekΣπεύδει πλουτεῖν ἀνὴρ βάσκανος, καὶ οὐκ οἶδεν ὅτι ἐλεήμων κρατήσει αὐτοῦ.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonHe who reproveth a man’s ways shall have more thanks than he who hath a flattering tongue.

BrentonHe that reproves a man's ways shall have more favour than he that flatters with the tongue.

GreekὉ ἐλέγχων ἀνθρώπου ὁδοὺς, χάριτας ἕξει μᾶλλον τοῦ γλωσσοχαριτοῦντος.

KJVHe that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

JPSHe that rebuketh a man shall in the end find more favour Than he that flattereth with the tongue.

ThomsonHe who casteth off a father or mother and thinketh that he doth not sin, is indeed the partner of an impious man.

BrentonHe that casts off father or mother, and thinks he sins not; the same is partaker with an ungodly man.

GreekὋς ἀποβάλλεται πατέρα ἢ μητέρα, καὶ δοκεῖ μὴ ἁμαρτάνειν, οὗτος κοινωνός ἐστιν ἀνδρὸς ἀσεβοῦς.

KJVWhoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

JPSWhoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith: ‘It is no transgression’, The same is the companion of a destroyer.

ThomsonA faithless man judgeth rashly: but he who trusteth in the Lord will be careful.

BrentonAn unbelieving man judges rashly: but he that trusts in the Lord will act carefully.

GreekἌπιστος ἀνὴρ κρίνει εἰκῆ, ὃς δὲ πέποιθεν ἐπὶ Κύριον ἐν ἐπιμελείᾳ ἔσται.

KJV—

JPS—

Thomson—

BrentonHe that trusts to a bold heart, such an one is a fool: but he that walks in wisdom shall be safe.

GreekὋς πέποιθε θρασείᾳ καρδίᾳ, ὁ τοιοῦτος ἄφρων, ὃς δὲ πορεύεται σοφίᾳ σωθήσεται.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonHe who giveth to the poor shall not be in want: but he who turneth away his eyes shall be indigent.

BrentonHe that gives to the poor shall not be in want: but he that turns away his eye from him shall be in great distress.

GreekὋς δίδωσι πτωχοῖς οὐκ ἐνδεηθήσεται, ὃς δὲ ἀποστρέφει τὸν ὀφθαλμὸν αὐτοῦ ἐν πολλῇ ἀπορίᾳ ἔσται.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonIn the places of the wicked, the righteous groan: but by their destruction, the righteous will be multiplied.

BrentonIn the places of ungodly men the righteous mourn: but in their destruction the righteous shall be multiplied.

GreekἘν τόποις ἀσεβῶν στένουσι δίκαιοι, ἐν δὲ τῇ ἐκείνων ἀπωλείᾳ πληθυνθήσονται δίκαιοι.

KJV—

JPS—