Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 28:5 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" Evil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek the LORD understand it fully. "
Proverbs 28:5
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
3 A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.
6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
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A person’s evil desires often grow because their mind is dark. In the same way, a dark mind often comes from letting sinful desires rule. Such people do not understand what is right and just. They cannot clearly tell truth from lies, or right from wrong. They do not see God’s law as the guide for what they should do or the warning of what will happen to them.
That is one reason they are evil people, their wickedness comes from ignorance and wrong thinking (Ephesians 4:18). At the same time, they do not understand justice because they are evil people. Their sinful hearts blind them and fill them with prejudice. Because they keep doing what is wrong, they hate the light. It is also right for God to leave such people to strong lies and false beliefs.
By contrast, when people seek the Lord, that is a good sign that they understand much. It is also a means of understanding more, even all that is needed for life and godliness. Those who set God’s glory before them as their goal, his favor as their happiness, and his word as their rule, and who turn to him in prayer in every need, are seeking the Lord. He will give them wisdom. If a person does God’s will, he will know God’s teaching (John 7:17).
Those who obey God’s commands have a good understanding, and they will gain even more (Psalm 111:10; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 15).
From This Chapter
Proverbs 28:1
"The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion."
Proverbs 28:2
"In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge."
Proverbs 28:3
"A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops."
Proverbs 28:4
"Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them."
Proverbs 28:6
"Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich."
Proverbs 28:7
"Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father."
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