aThe wicked flee when no one pursues,
but bthe righteous are bold as a lion.
2 When a land transgresses, ait has many rulers,
but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
its stability will long continue.
3 aA poor man who oppresses the poor
is a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who forsake the law apraise the wicked,
but those who keep the law bstrive against them.
5 Evil men ado not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord bunderstand it completely.
6 aBetter is a poor man who bwalks in his integrity
than a rich man who is bcrooked in his ways.
7 The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
but aa companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 Whoever multiplies his wealth aby interest and profit
bgathers it for him who is cgenerous to the poor.
9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
even his aprayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way
awill fall into his own pit,
but the blameless bwill have a goodly inheritance.
11 A rich man is wise in his aown eyes,
but a poor man who has understanding bwill find him out.
12 When athe righteous triumph, there is great glory,
but when bthe wicked rise, people hide themselves.
13 Whoever aconceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who bconfesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14 Blessed is the one who afears the Lord always,
but whoever bhardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15 Like aa roaring lion or ba charging bear
is ca wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler who alacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 If one is burdened with athe blood of another,
he will be a fugitive until death;
let no one help him.
18 aWhoever bwalks in integrity will be delivered,
but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.
19 aWhoever 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 awill not go unpunished.
21 To show apartiality is not good,
but for ba piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 A astingy man bhastens after wealth
and does not know that cpoverty will come upon him.
23 Whoever arebukes a man will afterward find more favor
than bhe who flatters with his tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother
and says, “That is no transgression,”
is aa companion to a man who destroys.
25 A greedy man astirs up strife,
but the one who trusts in the Lord will bbe enriched.
26 Whoever atrusts in his own mind is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
27 Whoever agives to the poor will not want,
but he who bhides his eyes will get many a curse.
28 When athe wicked rise, bpeople hide themselves,
but when they perish, the righteous increase.