BOOK 20 OF 66 · WISDOM & POETRY · KING JAMES BIBLE

Proverbs 28

Proverbs book home•Chapter 28 of 31•28 verses

Chapter overviewAt a glance + deeper study

REVIEWED OVERVIEW

Proverbs 28 Overview

The chapter contrasts bold righteous people with fleeing wicked, links disorder to rejection of law, praises integrity over crooked riches, promises mercy to the one who confesses and forsakes sin, and warns against trusting one's own heart.

ProverbsBook

28Chapter

28Verses

PoetryDivision

Before you read Proverbs 28

Coming from

Proverbs 27 emphasized friendship, honest correction, diligence, and stewardship. Because many proverbs are individual sayings rather than a continuous argument, the chapter-to-chapter connection is thematic rather than narrative.

In this chapter

Leads into

Proverbs 29 turns to correction, righteous government, anger, and the fear of man, expanding wisdom into another set of choices, contrasts, and observations.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Proverbs 28:13 concerns honesty, repentance, and mercy in the wisdom/covenant life; it must not be turned into a condition added to faith for receiving eternal life. Proverbs uses compact wisdom sayings to train judgment. Its normal patterns describe how God’s moral order ordinarily works; they are not mechanical guarantees that remove human freedom, suffering, or providence.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Central truth

Integrity under law, confession, generosity, and righteous leadership.

Wisdom truth

In Proverbs 28, wisdom is moral skill under the fear of the LORD, not merely intelligence or practical cleverness.

Integrity truth

In Proverbs 28, integrity values truth and uprightness even when crooked shortcuts appear profitable.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

1 John 1:9

The New Testament likewise commends honest confession before God and promises faithful forgiveness and cleansing.

Wisdom connection

James 3:13-18 distinguishes heavenly wisdom from envy-driven earthly wisdom. This connection helps frame Proverbs 28.

Integrity connection

Leviticus 19:35-36 commands honest measures. This connection helps frame Proverbs 28.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Keep wisdom in context

Do not read Proverbs 28 as a set of magic formulas. Proverbs trains wise judgment in the ordinary moral order God established.

Keep integrity in context

Integrity in Proverbs 28 is a moral virtue before God, not a basis for boasting that a person has earned eternal life.

Read Proverbs 28 watching for…

wicked flee.

rulers and law.

poor integrity.

confess and forsake.

trust own heart fool.

Chapter outline4 sections

1-7The wicked flee; understanding, justice, integrity, and obedience distinguish the righteous 8-14Dishonest gain, disregard for the law, leading others astray, confession, and holy fear 15-21Oppressive rulers, violence, integrity, diligence, and impartiality 22-28Greed, correction, honoring parents, trust in God, generosity, and the effect of wicked rule

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

For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

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

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

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

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

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

He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

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

Whoso 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.

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

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

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

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

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

The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

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

A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

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

He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

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

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

He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

STUDY THIS VERSE

Proverbs 28:13

Back to verse ↑

Cross References

Cross-reference storage is active. This passage does not yet have curated references loaded.

Related TWBC Resources

The Scripture resource graph is active. Sermons, Bible Overviews, courses, questions, and studies can attach here without changing the Bible text.