1
c The wicked flee when no one pursues,
but d the righteous are bold as a lion.
2
When a land transgresses, e it has many rulers,
but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
its stability will long continue.
3
f A poor man who oppresses the poor
is a beating rain that leaves no food.
4
Those who forsake the law g praise the wicked,
but those who keep the law h strive against them.
5
Evil men i do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord j understand it completely.
6
k Better is a poor man who l walks in his integrity
than a rich man who is l crooked in his ways.
7
The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
but m a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8
Whoever multiplies his wealth n by interest and profit 1
o gathers it for him who is p generous to the poor.
9
If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
even his q prayer is an abomination.
10
Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way
r will fall into his own pit,
but the blameless s will have a goodly inheritance.
11
A rich man is wise in his t own eyes,
but a poor man who has understanding u will find him out.
12
When v the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
but when w the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
13
Whoever x conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who y confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14
Blessed is the one who z fears the Lord always,
but whoever a hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15
Like b a roaring lion or c a charging bear
is d a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16
A ruler who e lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17
If one is burdened with f the blood of another,
he will be a fugitive until death; 2
let no one help him.
18
g Whoever h walks in integrity will be delivered,
but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.
19
i Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20
A faithful man will abound with blessings,
but whoever hastens to be rich j will not go unpunished.
21
To show k partiality is not good,
but for l a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22
A m stingy man 3 n hastens after wealth
and does not know that o poverty will come upon him.
23
Whoever p rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
than q he who flatters with his tongue.
24
Whoever robs his father or his mother
and says, "That is no transgression,"
is r a companion to a man who destroys.
25
A greedy man s stirs up strife,
but the one who trusts in the Lord will t be enriched.
26
Whoever u trusts in his own mind is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
27
Whoever v gives to the poor will not want,
but he who w hides his eyes will get many a curse.
28
When x the wicked rise, y people hide themselves,
but when they perish, the righteous increase.