THOSE WHO SEEK THE LORD

Passage: Proverbs 28:1-12

Key verse: 5

NIV

28 The wicked flee(A) though no one pursues,(B)
    but the righteous are as bold as a lion.(C)

2 When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
    but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.

3 A ruler[a] who oppresses the poor
    is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
    but those who heed it resist them.

5 Evildoers do not understand what is right,
    but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

6 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
    than the rich whose ways are perverse.(D)

7 A discerning son heeds instruction,
    but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.(E)

8 Whoever increases wealth by taking interest(F) or profit from the poor
    amasses it for another,(G) who will be kind to the poor.(H)

9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
    even their prayers are detestable.(I)

10 Whoever leads the upright along an evil path
    will fall into their own trap,(J)
    but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

11 The rich are wise in their own eyes;
    one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;(K)
    but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.(L)

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 28:3 Or A poor person
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

28 (A)The wicked flee when no one pursues,
    but (B)the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 When a land transgresses, (C)it has many rulers,
    but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
    its stability will long continue.
3 (D)A poor man who oppresses the poor
    is a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who forsake the law (E)praise the wicked,
    but those who keep the law (F)strive against them.
5 Evil men (G)do not understand justice,
    but those who seek the Lord (H)understand it completely.
6 (I)Better is a poor man who (J)walks in his integrity
    than a rich man who is (K)crooked in his ways.
7 The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
    but (L)a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 Whoever multiplies his wealth (M)by interest and profit[a]
    (N)gathers it for him who is (O)generous to the poor.
9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
    even his (P)prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way
    (Q)will fall into his own pit,
    but the blameless (R)will have a goodly inheritance.
11 A rich man is wise in his (S)own eyes,
    but a poor man who has understanding (T)will find him out.
12 When (U)the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
    but when (V)the wicked rise, people hide themselves.

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Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 28:8 That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. The righteous are as bold as a lion (1-6) The righteous have no fear of men, for they fear God. They are as bold as a lion. But the wicked run away when no one is chasing them. A man of understanding maintains stability in the midst of an immoral and perverse generation. To keep the law of God makes men wise. He who seeks the Lord understands justice. 2. Keeping the law (7-12) A discerning son obeys the law. If a person ignores the law, God detests his prayers. The blameless will receive a good inheritance-- eternal life. The poor in heart see God. When the righteous succeed, everyone is glad.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your word that makes people wise, bold and right and have eternal life.

One Word: Seek the Lord