The awicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;
But by a man of understanding and knowledge
Right will be prolonged.
3 aA poor man who oppresses the poor
Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.
4 aThose who forsake the law praise the wicked,
bBut such as keep the law contend with them.
5 aEvil men do not understand justice,
But bthose who seek the Lord understand all.
6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7 Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,
But a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion
Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.
9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
aEven his prayer is an abomination.
10 aWhoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,
He himself will fall into his own pit;
bBut the blameless will inherit good.
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding searches him out.
12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great aglory;
But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves.
13 aHe who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
14 Happy is the man who is always reverent,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15 aLike a roaring lion and a charging bear
bIs a wicked ruler over poor people.
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a great aoppressor,
But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.
17 aA man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit;
Let no one help him.
18 Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved,
But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
19 aHe who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!
20 A faithful man will abound with blessings,
aBut he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 aTo show partiality is not good,
bBecause for a piece of bread a man will transgress.
22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches,
And does not consider that apoverty will come upon him.
23 aHe who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward
Than he who flatters with the tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother,
And says, “It is no transgression,”
The same ais companion to a destroyer.
25 aHe who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,
bBut he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.
26 He who atrusts in his own heart is a fool,
But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.
27 aHe who gives to the poor will not lack,
But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.
28 When the wicked arise, amen hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson.
All rights reserved.