1.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2.
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.
3.
A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4.
They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
5.
Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
6.
Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7.
Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
8.
He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
9.
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
10.
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.
11.
The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12.
When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
13.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
14.
Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
FEAR AND ITS ANTIDOTE
‘Happy is the man that feareth alway.’ ‘Perfect love casteth out fear.’
Proverbs 28:14 (with 1 John 4:18).
Fear has a place in the Gospel, may we but find it. The object of fear may be either a thing or a person.
I. We fear a thing which, being possible, is also undesirable or dreadful.—We do not fear that which is impossible; we do not fear that which is pleasant or neutral. Our Prayer Book, commenting in the Catechism upon the Lord’s Prayer, bids us call three things evil, not pain, not sickness, not loss, not bereavement, not even natural death, but just these only: (1) sin and wickedness; (2) our ghostly enemy; (3) everlasting death. These three things then are the proper objects of Gospel fear.
II. The fear of God as a Person, even the dread of God as a Person, is essentially of a high order.—To feel that there is One above me, a living Being, to Whom I am accountable, if it be but as my Judge, to Whom I am something, if it be but as a malefactor and a victim—there is something elevating in the very conception. But this, if it stop here, is the religion of nature, of fallen nature, of the thing made and corrupted crouching beneath the hand of its maker. This mere dread, though it is a higher thing than indifference, is no part of the Gospel. From this kind of fear the convinced man, if he yields himself to Christ’s teaching, will pass on into a higher.
—Dean Vaughan.
15.
As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16.
The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17.
A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
18.
Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19.
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
20.
A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
21.
To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
22.
He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
23.
He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24.
Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
25.
He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
26.
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27.
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.