Proverbs – Chapter 28

Old Testament • 28 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 28 of Proverbs begins: "The wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth: but the just, bold as a lion, shall be without dread." Across its 28 verses, two threads run through the text: justice and care for the poor and sin and divine judgment. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1The wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth: but the just, bold as a lion, shall be without dread.

2For the sins of the land many are the princes thereof: and for the wisdom of a man, and the knowledge of those things that are said, the life of the prince shall be prolonged.

3A poor man that oppresseth the poor, is like a violent shower, which bringeth a famine.

4They that forsake the law, praise the wicked man: they that keep it, are incensed against him.

5Evil men think not on judgment: but they that seek after the Lord, take notice of all things.

6Better is the poor man walking in his simplicity, than the rich in crooked ways.

7He that keepeth the law, is a wise son: but he that feedeth gluttons, shameth his father.

8He that heapeth together riches by usury and loan, gathereth them for him that will be bountiful to the poor.

9He that turneth away his ears from hearing the law, his prayer shall be an abomination.

10He that deceiveth the just in a wicked way, shall fall in his own destruction: and the upright shall possess his goods.

11The rich man seemeth to himself wise: but the poor man that is prudent shall search him out.

12In the joy of the just there is great glory: when the wicked reign, men are ruined.

13He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that shall confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy.

14Blessed is the man that is always fearful: but he that is hardened in mind shall fall into evil.

15As a roaring lion, and a hungry bear, so is a wicked prince over the poor people.

16A prince void of prudence shall oppress many by calumny: but he that hateth covetousness, shall prolong his days.

17A man that doth violence to the blood of a person, if he flee even to the pit, no man will stay him.

18He that walketh uprightly, shall be saved: he that is perverse in his ways, shall fall at once.

19He that tilleth his ground, shall be filled with bread: but he that followeth idleness, shall be filled with poverty.

20A faithful man shall be much praised: but he that maketh haste to be rich, shall not be innocent.

21He that hath respect to a person in judgment, doth not well: such a man even for a morsel of bread forsaketh the truth.

22A man that maketh haste to be rich, and envieth others, is ignorant that poverty shall come upon him.

23He that rebuketh a man, shall afterward find favour with him, more than he that by a flattering tongue deceiveth him.

24He that stealeth any thing from his father, or from his mother: and saith, This is no sin, is the partner of a murderer.

25He that boasteth and puffeth up himself, stirreth up quarrels: but he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be healed.

26He that trusteth in his own heart, is a fool: but he that walketh wisely, he shall be saved.

27He that giveth to the poor shall not want: he that despiseth his entreaty, shall suffer indigence.

28When the wicked rise up, men shall hide themselves: when they perish, the just shall be multiplied.

Important Verses in Proverbs 28

“The wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth: but the just, bold as a lion, shall be without dread.”

Proverbs 28:1

“Evil men think not on judgment: but they that seek after the Lord, take notice of all things.”

Proverbs 28:5

“He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that shall confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy.”

Proverbs 28:13

“He that trusteth in his own heart, is a fool: but he that walketh wisely, he shall be saved.”

Proverbs 28:26

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Proverbs was written with the young and all who seek to live skillfully before God in view. Chapter 28 of 31 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a wisdom instruction on how to live before God in ordinary circumstances with 28 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The passage starts with these words: "The wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth: but the just, bold as a lion, shall be without dread." The chapter ends with: "When the wicked rise up, men shall hide themselves: when they perish, the just shall be multiplied. " The wider setting of Proverbs is this: Proverbs distills practical wisdom for daily life—speech, work, friendship, family, money—under one master principle: 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom' (Prov 9:10). The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Core collections from Solomon's era (10th century BC); final form by the 5th century BC.

Who Wrote It

Principally Solomon; also Agur, Lemuel, and 'the wise'

When It Was Written

Core collections from Solomon's era (10th century BC); final form by the 5th century BC

Catholic Commentary

The sage addresses concrete situations—speech, work, relationships, and fear of the Lord. A pivotal line is verse 1: "The wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth: but the just, bold as a lion, shall be without dread." The passage repeatedly touches on justice and care for the poor.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 2105). Here, Christ is the Wisdom of God incarnate (CIC 721). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize justice and care for the poor as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • ✓God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • ✓Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • ✓True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Reflection for Today

As Catholics read Proverbs Chapter 28, we do so within the living Tradition that has guarded this text for two millennia.

The saints did not treat Scripture as antiquarian literature. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, and countless others used passages such as this to fuel daily conversion. the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love remains a practical lesson for modern disciples.

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Proverbs Chapter 28 about?

Proverbs 28 contains 28 verses. It opens with "The wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth: but the just, bold as a lion, shall be without dread." and closes with "When the wicked rise up, men shall hide themselves: when they perish, the just shall be multiplied. ". The book as a whole is wisdom sayings and instructions.

What is a key verse in Proverbs 28?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "The wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth: but the just, bold as a lion, shall be without dread." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Proverbs and when?

Principally Solomon; also Agur, Lemuel, and 'the wise'. Core collections from Solomon's era (10th century BC); final form by the 5th century BC.

Related Chapters

Job 28Shares people and themes with this chapterPsalms 1Shares people and themes with this chapterEcclesiastes 7Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Poor🙏Prayer for the World🙏Act of Contrition🙏Kyrie Eleison

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