UNROLL
An empty village lane at midday, every plank door shut and barred, a dropped basket lying in the dust.

Hezekiah’s collection

Proverbs 28

You can tell a lot about a place by who has to hide there.

28 verses≈ 4 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

  1. 1–7The father's talksWhy the book exists, then a father to his son
  2. 8–9Wisdom callsHer house and Folly's
  3. 10–22:16Solomon's sayingsTwo lines at a time
  4. 22:17–24The sayings of the wiseThirty sayings, and a few more
  5. 25–29Hezekiah's collectionMore of Solomon, copied out laterChapter 28
  6. 30AgurNumbered sayings from a weary man
  7. 31LemuelA mother's words, and the noble wife

The Boldness of the Righteous

A maned Asiatic lion standing square and unhurried on an open rock in full daylight, looking straight ahead.

The wicked flee when no one pursues,

but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

Sayings

Rulers and the law

  1. Kings

    A land with many rulers

    A land in rebellion has many rulers,

    but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.

  2. Justice

    Rain that leaves no food

    A destitute leader who oppresses the poor

    is like a driving rain that leaves no food.

  3. Keep the law, resist them

    Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,

    but those who keep the law resist them.

  4. Those who seek the LORD

    Evil men do not understand justice,

    but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.

Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.

Sayings

Sons, money, prayer

  1. Family

    A son who keeps the law

    A discerning son keeps the law,

    but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

  2. Money

    Wealth from usury

    He who increases his wealth by interest and usury

    lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.

  3. The LORD

    Even his prayer

    Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law,

    even his prayer is detestable.

  4. Temptation

    His own pit

    He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit,

    but the blameless will inherit what is good.

  5. Pride

    Wise in his own eyes

    A rich man is wise in his own eyes,

    but a poor man with discernment sees through him.

Reflect

Take it home

Is there a word from God you have stopped listening to?

When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

He who conceals his sins will not prosper,

but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

Proverbs 28:13

A Syrian brown bear at full charge down a dry scrub slope, dust flying, a thin flock scattering far below.

Blessed is the man who is always reverent,

but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

Like a roaring lion or a charging bear

is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor,

but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.

0:20

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit;

let no one support him.

He who walks with integrity will be kept safe,

but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.

Question

Quick question

Back to verse 13.

Who finds mercy?

Sayings

Greed and trust

  1. Money

    A stingy man

    A stingy man hastens after wealth

    and does not know that poverty awaits him.

  2. Words

    Rebuke over flattery

    He who rebukes a man will later find more favor

    than one who flatters with his tongue.

  3. Family

    He robs his parents

    He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,”

    is a companion to the man who destroys.

  4. The LORD

    Greed or trust

    A greedy man stirs up strife,

    but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.

  5. Pride

    He who trusts in himself

    He who trusts in himself is a fool,

    but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.

At a stone gateway at midday a well-dressed man walks past with his head turned away from a thin old man sitting by the bench with his empty palm open.

Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need,

but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.

When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves;

but when they perish, the righteous flourish.

Pray

Say it to Him

LORD, be near those who live under bad rulers and have to hide. Keep my conscience clean. Where I have covered something up, help me bring it to You and leave it. Open my eyes to the poor I would rather not see.

You’ve experienced

Proverbs 28

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A verse to carry with you

He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

Proverbs 28:13

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