28:1 [Fugit impius nemine persequente ; justus autem, quasi leo confidens, absque terrore erit.
*H The wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth: but the just, bold as a lion, shall be without dread.
Ver. 1. Pursueth. "A crime is its own punishment." Senec. ep. 93. Lev. xxvi. 36. — Dread. Of any thing terrestrial, as long as the object of his love is not attacked. Rom. viii. 35.
28:2 Propter peccata terrae multi principes ejus ; et propter hominis sapientiam, et horum scientiam quae dicuntur, vita ducis longior erit.
*H For 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.
Ver. 2. Princes. Who each contend for the sovereign power. C.
28:3 Vir pauper calumnians pauperes similis est imbri vehementi in quo paratur fames.]
A poor man that oppresseth the poor, is like a violent shower, which bringeth a famine.
28:4 [Qui derelinquunt legem laudant impium ; qui custodiunt, succenduntur contra eum.
They that forsake the law, praise the wicked man: they that keep it, are incensed against him.
28:5 Viri mali non cogitant judicium ; qui autem inquirunt Dominum animadvertunt omnia.
Evil men think not on judgment: but they that seek after the Lord, take notice of all things.
28:6 Melior est pauper ambulans in simplicitate sua quam dives in pravis itineribus.
Better is the poor man walking in his simplicity, than the rich in crooked ways.
28:7 Qui custodit legem filius sapiens est ; qui autem comessatores pascit confundit patrem suum.
He that keepeth the law, is a wise son: but he that feedeth gluttons, shameth his father.
28:8 Qui coacervat divitias usuris et foenore, liberali in pauperes congregat eas.
*H He that heapeth together riches by usury and loan, gathereth them for him that will be bountiful to the poor.
Ver. 8. Poor. It seldom happens that the unjust leave their riches to their children. C. xiii. 22. Job xxvii. 16.
28:9 Qui declinat aures suas ne audiat legem, oratio ejus erit execrabilis.
*H He that turneth away his ears from hearing the law, his prayer shall be an abomination.
Ver. 9. His. Sept. "he rendereth his prayer abominable."
28:10 Qui decipit justos in via mala, in interitu suo corruet, et simplices possidebunt bona ejus.
He that deceiveth the just in a wicked way, shall fall in his own destruction: and the upright shall possess his goods.
28:11 Sapiens sibi videtur vir dives ; pauper autem prudens scrutabitur eum.
The rich man seemeth to himself wise: but the poor man that is prudent shall search him out.
28:12 In exsultatione justorum multa gloria est ; regnantibus impiis, ruinae hominum.
In the joy of the just there is great glory: when the wicked reign, men are ruined.
28:13 Qui abscondit scelera sua non dirigetur ; qui autem confessus fuerit et reliquerit ea, misericordiam consequetur.
*H He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that shall confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy.
Ver. 13. Mercy. This is true repentance, which enjoins, "not only to bewail past sins, but also to amend." S. Amb. ii. Pen. v. — Sacramental confession was not required of the Jews, but they confessed their sins, when they laid their hands on the victim, &c. Lev. iv. and v. C.
28:14 Beatus homo qui semper est pavidus ; qui vero mentis est durae corruet in malum.
Blessed is the man that is always fearful: but he that is hardened in mind shall fall into evil.
28:15 Leo rugiens et ursus esuriens, princeps impius super populum pauperem.
As a roaring lion, and a hungry bear, so is a wicked prince over the poor people.
28:16 Dux indigens prudentia multos opprimet per calumniam ; qui autem odit avaritiam, longi fient dies ejus.
*H A prince void of prudence shall oppress many by calumny: but he that hateth covetousness, shall prolong his days.
Ver. 16. Prudence. Sept. "riches." Poverty is a great temptation to people in authority, more than avarice itself. C.
28:17 Hominem qui calumniatur animae sanguinem, si usque ad lacum fugerit, nemo sustinet.
A man that doth violence to the blood of a person, if he flee even to the pit, no man will stay him.
28:18 Qui ambulat simpliciter salvus erit ; qui perversis graditur viis concidet semel.
He that walketh uprightly, shall be saved: he that is perverse in his ways, shall fall at once.
28:19 Qui operatur terram suam satiabitur panibus ; qui autem sectatur otium replebitur egestate.]
He that tilleth his ground, shall be filled with bread: but he that followeth idleness, shall be filled with poverty.
28:20 [Vir fidelis multum laudabitur ; qui autem festinat ditari non erit innocens.
*H A faithful man shall be much praised: but he that maketh haste to be rich, shall not be innocent.
Ver. 20. Innocent. Unpunished, if he employ fraud, v. 22. c. xiii. 21.
28:21 Qui cognoscit in judicio faciem non bene facit ; iste et pro buccella panis deserit veritatem.
*H He that hath respect to a person in judgment, doth not well: such a man even for a morsel of bread forsaketh the truth.
Ver. 21. Forsaketh. Heb. "oppresseth (Sept. selleth) a man." C. — Neither small nor great bribes must be taken. Justinian.
28:22 Vir qui festinat ditari, et aliis invidet, ignorat quod egestas superveniet ei.
*H A man that maketh haste to be rich, and envieth others, is ignorant that poverty shall come upon him.
Ver. 22. Poverty. Sept. "the merciful shall have power over him." v. 8. H.
28:23 Qui corripit hominem gratiam postea inveniet apud eum, magis quam ille qui per linguae blandimenta decipit.
He that rebuketh a man, shall afterward find favour with him, more than he that by a flattering tongue deceiveth him.
28:24 Qui subtrahit aliquid a patre suo et a matre, et dicit hoc non esse peccatum, particeps homicidae est.
He that stealeth any thing from his father, or from his mother: and saith, This is no sin, is the partner of a murderer.
28:25 Qui se jactat et dilatat, jurgia concitat ; qui vero sperat in Domino sanabitur.
He that boasteth and puffeth up himself, stirreth up quarrels: but he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be healed.
28:26 Qui confidit in corde suo stultus est ; qui autem graditur sapienter, ipse salvabitur.
He that trusteth in his own heart, is a fool: but he that walketh wisely, he shall be saved.
28:27 Qui dat pauperi non indigebit ; qui despicit deprecantem sustinebit penuriam.
He that giveth to the poor shall not want: he that despiseth his entreaty, shall suffer indigence.
28:28 Cum surrexerint impii, abscondentur homines ; cum illi perierint, multiplicabuntur justi.]
*H When the wicked rise up, men shall hide themselves: when they perish, the just shall be multiplied.
Ver. 28. Men. Sept. "the just groan," and all are under "apprehensions." C.