Proverbs 28:16

14 Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.

17 A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.

18 He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.
KJV
The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
WEB
A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
ASV
The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; [But] he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
DARBY
The prince void of intelligence is also a great oppressor: he that hateth covetousness shall prolong [his] days.
BLB
A leader lacking [in] understanding [is] also abundant of oppressions; one hating dishonest gain prolongs days.
ÅB
Du fyrste som er fattig på forstand og rik på vold! De som hater urettferdig vinning, skal leve lenge.
OTB
En tyrannisk hersker mangler forståelse, men den som hater urettferdig vinning vil forlenge sine dager.
B1930
Du fyrste som er fattig på forstand og rik på vold! De som hater urettferdig vinning, skal leve lenge.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Exodus 18:21

    Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 22:15–17

    Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 12:14

    and spoke to them as the young men had advised, saying, “Whereas my father made your yoke heavy, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.”

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 12:10

    The young men who had grown up with him replied, “This is how you should answer these people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you should make it lighter.’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 33:15–16

    He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, who refuses gain from extortion, whose hand never takes a bribe, who stops his ears against murderous plots and shuts his eyes tightly against evil—

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 3:12

    Youths oppress My people, and women rule over them. O My people, your guides mislead you; they turn you from your paths.

    Read in context
  • Ecclesiastes 4:1

    Again I looked, and I considered all the oppression taking place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; the power lay in the hands of their oppressors, and there was no comforter.

    Read in context
  • Nehemiah 5:15

    The governors before me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them bread and wine plus forty shekels of silver. Their servants also oppressed the people, but I did not do this because of my fear of God.

    Read in context