What does the chapter actually say?
Identify the explicit claims before importing later doctrine or assumptions.
PROVERBS • CHAPTER 28
Proverbs 28
Practical wisdom, speech, work, money, sexuality, family, justice, self-control, leadership, and fear of Yahweh.
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Proverbs 28
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1
The wicked flee when no one pursues;
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2
In rebellion, a land has many rulers,
but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
3
A needy man who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.
is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.
4
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked;
but those who keep the law contend with them.
but those who keep the law contend with them.
5
Evil men don’t understand justice;
but those who seek Yahweh understand it fully.
but those who seek Yahweh understand it fully.
6
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity,
than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
7
Whoever keeps the law is a wise son;
but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8
He who increases his wealth by excessive interest
gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.
gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.
9
He who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
even his prayer is an abomination.
even his prayer is an abomination.
10
Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,
he will fall into his own trap;
but the blameless will inherit good.
he will fall into his own trap;
but the blameless will inherit good.
11
The rich man is wise in his own eyes;
but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
12
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory;
but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13
He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper,
but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14
Blessed is the man who always fears;
but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15
As a roaring lion or a charging bear,
so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
16
A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment.
One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
17
A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death;
no one will support him.
no one will support him.
18
Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe;
but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.
but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.
19
One who works his land will have an abundance of food;
but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20
A faithful man is rich with blessings;
but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
21
To show partiality is not good;
yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22
A stingy man hurries after riches,
and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.
and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.
23
One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
than one who flatters with the tongue.
than one who flatters with the tongue.
24
Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “It’s not wrong,”
is a partner with a destroyer.
is a partner with a destroyer.
25
One who is greedy stirs up strife;
but one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
but one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
26
One who trusts in himself is a fool;
but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
27
One who gives to the poor has no lack;
but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
28
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves;
but when they perish, the righteous thrive.
but when they perish, the righteous thrive.
WISDOM
Where this chapter fits
Proverbs belongs to Israel's wisdom/poetic tradition, where literary form matters as much as historical setting.
Chapter numbers were added long after the biblical books were written.
Read this chapter together with what comes immediately before and after it.
ANCIENT TEXT, MODERN QUESTIONS
Historical claims should be compared with historical evidence.
Scientific claims should be compared with science.
Moral claims should be examined morally.
Theological claims require theological and philosophical argument.
QUESTIONS WORTH ASKING
Don't skip the hard parts.
What kind of literature is this?
Narrative, poetry, prophecy, law, letters, wisdom, and apocalypse communicate differently.
What historical evidence matters?
Ask whether names, places, institutions, events, customs, and chronology can be independently investigated.
What are the strongest competing interpretations?
Compare serious Jewish, Christian, academic, and skeptical readings rather than caricatures.
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