Proverbs 28
1The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. 2A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order. 3A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food. 4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them. 5Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully. 6Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse. 7A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. 8He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor. 9Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable. 10He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good. 11A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him. 12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. 13He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. 14Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. 15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. 16A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days. 17A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him. 18He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall. 19The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. 20A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished. 21To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread. 22A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him. 23He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue. 24He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys. 25A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. 26He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe. 27Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses. 28When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
Life is short. Where are you going?
You just read God’s own words, and one day every one of us will stand before Him. “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14). This life will be over sooner than you think — do you know where you are going when it is?
The Bible says, “Man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). If you died today, would you be ready?
Are you a good person?
Most of us think we are. But God doesn’t measure us against other people — He measures us by His Law. Look honestly at the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3–17):
- You shall have no other gods before Me.
- You shall not make for yourself an idol.
- You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
- Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
- Honor your father and mother.
- You shall not murder.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness.
- You shall not covet.
Have you ever told a lie — even a small one? Have you ever taken something that wasn’t yours? Have you ever used God’s name as a curse word? Have you ever wanted what belongs to someone else? Jesus said that anyone who looks with lust “has already committed adultery … in his heart” (Matthew 5:28), and the Bible says “everyone who hates his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15).
If we’re honest, we have all broken God’s Law — and “whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:10). “There is no one righteous, not even one … there is no one who does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10–12).
That leaves every one of us guilty before a holy God. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), and “whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36). This is why our world is full of tragedy — and without Christ, every life ends in the greatest tragedy of all.
But God made a way
“God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus lived the perfect life we never could, and on the cross He took the punishment we deserved: “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Three days later He rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).
It’s like standing guilty in court when the judge steps down and pays your fine himself. Forgiveness is a free gift — you can’t earn it: “It is by grace you have been saved through faith … it is the gift of God, not by works” (Ephesians 2:8–9). “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” Jesus — John 10:10
What will you do with Jesus?
“Repent and believe in the gospel!” (Mark 1:15). Turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus alone — “if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Don’t put it off — “now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation!” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
And when you turn to Him, you won’t be met with a frown — you’ll be met with a celebration. Jesus said, “there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). God says, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live” (Ezekiel 33:11). He is “mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness … He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). Like the father who ran to embrace his lost son, He is waiting with open arms — and heaven throws a party when you come home (Luke 15:20–24).
If you died today, where would you spend eternity? Today you can be forgiven, made new, and have real, abundant life — now and forever.
Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), which is in the public domain.