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“He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (28:13) Here we have an expression of the sweet, forgiving grace of God. We are all sinners. Let’s admit it, and then turn to our Savior, Who will never drive us away.

BibleGateway: Proverbs 28:1-18

ESV Text: Proverbs 28:1-18

Proverbs 28:1–18 (Listen)


28:1   The wicked flee when no one pursues,
    but the righteous are bold as a lion.
  When a land transgresses, it has many rulers,
    but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
    its stability will long continue.
  A poor man who oppresses the poor
    is a beating rain that leaves no food.
  Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
    but those who keep the law strive against them.
  Evil men do not understand justice,
    but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.
  Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
    than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
  The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
    but a companion of gluttons shames his father.
  Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit1
    gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.
  If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
    even his prayer is an abomination.
10   Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way
    will fall into his own pit,
    but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
11   A rich man is wise in his own eyes,
    but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.
12   When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
    but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
13   Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
    but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14   Blessed is the one who fears the LORD2 always,
    but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15   Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
    is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16   A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
    but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17   If one is burdened with the blood of another,
    he will be a fugitive until death;3
    let no one help him.
18   Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered,
    but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.

Footnotes

[1] 28:8 That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor

[2] 28:14 Hebrew lacks the Lord

[3] 28:17 Hebrew until the pit

(ESV)


KJV Text: Proverbs 28:1-18

The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 2:20

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     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.

     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.(KJV)


Hymn: TLH 279 : Today Thy Mercy Calls Us

Hymnary.org

Organ Audio

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1. Today Thy mercy calls us
To wash away our sin.
However great our trespass,
Whatever we have been,
However long from mercy
Our hearts have turned away,
Thy precious blood can cleanse us
And make us white today.

2. Today Thy gate is open,
And all who enter in
Shall find a Father’s welcome
And pardon for their sin.
The past shall be forgotten,
A present joy be given,
A future grace be promised,
A glorious crown in heaven.

3. Today our Father calls us,
His Holy Spirit waits;
His blessed angels gather
Around the heavenly gates.
No question will be asked us
How often we have come;
Although we oft have wandered,
It is our Father’s home.

4. O all-embracing Mercy,
O ever-open Door,
What should we do without Thee
When heart and eye run o’er?
When all things seem against us,
To drive us to despair,
We know one gate is open,
One ear will hear our prayer.