Scripture
1The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,
but the godly are as bold as lions.
2When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.
But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.
3A poor person who oppresses the poor
is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.
4To reject the law is to praise the wicked;
to obey the law is to fight them.
5Evil people don’t understand justice,
but those who follow the Lord understand completely.
6Better to be poor and honest
than to be dishonest and rich.
7Young people who obey the law are wise;
those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.[1]
8Income from charging high interest rates
will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.
9God detests the prayers
of a person who ignores the law.
10Those who lead good people along an evil path
will fall into their own trap,
but the honest will inherit good things.
11Rich people may think they are wise,
but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.
12When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.
When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.
13People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
14Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,[2]
but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.
15A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor
as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.
16A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people,
but one who hates corruption will have a long life.
17A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave.
Don’t protect him!
18The blameless will be rescued from harm,
but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed.
19A hard worker has plenty of food,
but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.
20The trustworthy person will get a rich reward,
but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.
21Showing partiality is never good,
yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.
22Greedy people try to get rich quick
but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.
23In the end, people appreciate honest criticism
far more than flattery.
24Anyone who steals from his father and mother
and says, “What’s wrong with that?”
is no better than a murderer.
25Greed causes fighting;
trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.
26Those who trust their own insight are foolish,
but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.
27Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,
but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.
28When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.
When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish.
Translation notes (2)
- 28:7 Hebrew their father.
- 28:14 Or those who fear the Lord; Hebrew reads those who fear.
The one who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will find mercy.
Have you ever noticed how many little kids automatically want to run and hide when they get in trouble? Shame and sin do that to us. They make us want to keep to ourselves for fear of exposure and feeling embarrassment. The problem with hiding is that it keeps us from being fully known. It also keeps us from actually reaching out for help. Instead of hiding, Scripture teaches that there is a better way than hiding our sin and shame. When we open up about our struggles and confess them, we find mercy and peace.
Proverbs chapter 28 warns us against hiding our sin and our struggles. “People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy,” verse 13 says. According to this verse, concealing sin does nothing good. When we conceal our sins and struggles, we cannot properly fight against them. This happens because we pretend that it’s not there. We sort of let it happen to us rather than fight it. It’s true what this verse in Proverbs 28 says. Concealing our sin leads to a decline in our lives, which is the opposite of prosperity.
Confessing our sins and acknowledging our struggles will bring them to light. When this happens, we no longer are in hiding. We are known. We can receive help as we fight against any sin we are facing.
My friend, when it comes to your sin and struggles, you have one of two options. You can either acknowledge it and turn away from it, which leads to prosperity, or conceal it, which leads to a decline in our lives. So let’s be people who are unafraid to confront the sin in our lives.
Moving toward action
It’s time today to be open and honest about our struggles. Is there a sin you have been struggling with? Whatever it is, you will find peace and mercy when you open up about it rather than keep it to yourself. Find someone today and be honest about what you are going through, and ask for help if you need it. As you confess these struggles, you will find peace and help as you seek to turn away from sin. If you need more help, come to our Living Free program. For more information on Living Free, go to Sagebrush.church/care.
Going Deeper
Proverbs 28:1-28 (NLT)
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