English Standard Version
Proverbs 28:5
5Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.
Proverbs 28:5 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things.
- New International Version (NIV)Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the Lord understand all.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the Lord understand completely.
Context of Proverbs 28:5
3A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food. 4Those 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. 6Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways. 7The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.
Read all of Proverbs 28Proverbs 28:5 word by word
אַנְשֵׁי־רָ֭ע לֹא־יָבִ֣ינוּ מִשְׁפָּ֑ט וּמְבַקְשֵׁ֥י יְ֝הוָ֗ה יָבִ֥ינוּ כֹֽל׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 28:5
- Proverbs 15:24The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
- Proverbs 24:7Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth.
- Psalms 25:14The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.
- Psalms 92:6The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this:
- Jeremiah 4:22"For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding. They are 'wise'—in doing evil! But how to do good they know not."
- Mark 4:10And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.
- John 7:17If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.
- 1 Corinthians 2:14The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
- James 1:5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
- 1 John 2:20But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
Commentaries on Proverbs 28:5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5They that seek the Lord understand all things - They are wise unto salvation; they "have the unction from the Holy One, and they know all things," 1 John 2:20, every thing that is essentially needful for them to know, in reference to both worlds.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5The deep interdependence of morality and intellect. We have a right judgment in all things in proportion as our hearts seek to know God. Compare James 1:23-24.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5Verse 5 If a man seeks the Lord, it is a good sign that he understands much, and it is a good means of understanding more.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5Bad people try to benefit by breaking the law. Justice makes sure they are punished, while good people receive rewards.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. (Compare Joh 7:17). Ignorance of moral truth is due to unwillingness to know it.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 28:5
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 28
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries