Proverbs 28:4
New International Version
Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them.

New Living Translation
To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them.

English Standard Version
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.

Berean Standard Bible
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.

King James Bible
They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

New King James Version
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But such as keep the law contend with them.

New American Standard Bible
Those who abandon the Law praise the wicked, But those who keep the Law strive against them.

NASB 1995
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But those who keep the law strive with them.

NASB 1977
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But those who keep the law strive with them.

Legacy Standard Bible
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But those who keep the law strive with them.

Amplified Bible
Those who set aside the law [of God and man] praise the wicked, But those who keep the law [of God and man] struggle with them.

Christian Standard Bible
Those who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law pit themselves against them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Those who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law battle against them.

American Standard Version
They that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them.

Contemporary English Version
Lawbreakers praise criminals, but law-abiding citizens always oppose them.

English Revised Version
They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Those who abandon [God's] teachings praise wicked people, but those who follow [God's] teachings oppose wicked people.

Good News Translation
If you have no regard for the law, you are on the side of the wicked; but if you obey it, you are against them.

International Standard Version
Those who forsake the Law praise the wicked, but whoever keeps it fights them.

Majority Standard Bible
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.

NET Bible
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law contend with them.

New Heart English Bible
Those who forsake the Law praise the wicked; but those who keep the Law contend with them.

Webster's Bible Translation
They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

World English Bible
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Those forsaking the Law praise the wicked, "" Those keeping the Law plead against them.

Young's Literal Translation
Those forsaking the law praise the wicked, Those keeping the law plead against them.

Smith's Literal Translation
They forsaking the law will praise the unjust: and they watching the law, shall contend with them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They that forsake the law, praise the wicked man: they that keep it, are incensed against him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Those who abandon the law praise the impious. Those who guard it are inflamed against him.

New American Bible
Those who abandon instruction praise the wicked, but those who keep instruction oppose them.

New Revised Standard Version
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law struggle against them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Those who forsake the law glory in wickedness; but those who keep the law receive strength.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Those that forsake the Law praise evil and those that keep the Law strengthen their souls.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
They that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
so they that forsake the law praise ungodliness; but they that love the law fortify themselves with a wall.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Boldness of the Righteous
3A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food. 4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them. 5Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.…

Cross References
Psalm 119:53
Rage has taken hold of me because of the wicked who reject Your law.

Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.

Romans 1:32
Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 1:18
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

2 Timothy 3:1-5
But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. / For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, ...

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. / For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, / in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.

Ephesians 5:11
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

1 John 3:4
Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness.

Matthew 5:19
So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

James 4:4
You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.

1 Peter 4:3-4
For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. / Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you.

John 3:19-20
And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. / Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

2 Peter 2:1-3
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.


Treasury of Scripture

They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

that

1 Samuel 23:19-21
Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon? …

Psalm 10:3
For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.

Psalm 49:18
Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.

but

1 Samuel 15:14-24
And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? …

1 Samuel 22:14,15
Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house? …

1 Kings 18:18,21
And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim…

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Contend Evil-Doer Forsake Forsaking Keeping Law Plead Praise Resist Respect Strive Wicked
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Proverbs 28
1. general observations of impiety and integrity














Those who forsake the law
This phrase refers to individuals who abandon or neglect the divine commandments and teachings found in the Scriptures. The Hebrew word for "forsake" is "עזב" (azab), which implies a deliberate act of leaving behind or rejecting. In the historical context of ancient Israel, the "law" (Torah) was not merely a set of rules but a covenantal guide for living in relationship with God. Forsaking the law, therefore, signifies a turning away from God's covenant and His righteous standards, leading to moral and spiritual decline.

praise the wicked
The Hebrew word for "praise" is "הלל" (halal), which can mean to boast or celebrate. In this context, it suggests that those who abandon God's law end up endorsing or glorifying those who engage in evil deeds. This is a reflection of a moral inversion where good is called evil and evil good, a theme echoed throughout the Scriptures. Historically, this could be seen in periods of Israel's history where idolatry and injustice were rampant, and those who practiced such were celebrated.

but those who keep the law
The phrase "keep the law" uses the Hebrew word "שמר" (shamar), meaning to guard, observe, or give heed to. This implies a careful and intentional adherence to God's commandments. Keeping the law is not just about external compliance but involves a heart posture of reverence and commitment to God's will. In the biblical narrative, those who keep the law are often depicted as wise and blessed, enjoying God's favor and protection.

resist them
The word "resist" in Hebrew is "גרה" (garah), which can mean to contend with or oppose. This suggests an active stance against the wicked and their ways. In a conservative Christian perspective, this resistance is not merely physical but spiritual, involving standing firm in faith and truth against the moral decay and spiritual deception prevalent in the world. This aligns with the New Testament teachings of spiritual warfare and the call to be salt and light in a dark world.

(4) They that forsake the law praise the wicked.--The mark of extreme wickedness. (Comp. Romans 1:32.)

But such as keep the law contend with them.--Just as the sight of ill-doing was the one thing which roused our Lord to wrath, while insults and wrongs offered to Himself were passed by unnoticed.

Verse 4. - They that forsake the Law praise the wicked. This they do because they love iniquity, and like to see it extend its influence, and arm itself against the good, who are a standing reproach to them. St. Paul notes it as a mark of extreme wickedness that gross sinners "not only do the same iniquities, but have pleasure in them that do them" (Romans 1:32). Such as keep the Law contend with them; are angry with them. They are filled with righteous indignation; they cannot hold their peace when they see God's Law outraged, and must have the offenders punished (comp. 1 Kings 19:14; Psalm 74:11. etc.; Psalms 119:136, 139; 139:21). The LXX. connects this verse with the latter part of the preceding, thus: "As an impetuous and profitless rain, thus those who forsake the Law praise ungodliness; but they who love the Law raise a wall around themselves."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Those who forsake
עֹזְבֵ֣י (‘ō·zə·ḇê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

the law
ת֭וֹרָה (ṯō·w·rāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law

praise
יְהַֽלְל֣וּ (yə·hal·lū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1984: To shine

the wicked,
רָשָׁ֑ע (rā·šā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

but those who keep
וְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י (wə·šō·mə·rê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

the law
ת֝וֹרָ֗ה (ṯō·w·rāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law

resist
יִתְגָּ֥רוּ (yiṯ·gā·rū)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1624: To stir up (strife), engage in strife

them.
פ (p̄)
Punctuation
Strong's Hebrew


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 28:4 Those who forsake the law praise (Prov. Pro Pr)
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