1 T he wicked flee when no man pursues them, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 W hen a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when the ruler is a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge, its stability will long continue.

3 A poor man who oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food.

4 T hose who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law contend with them.

5 E vil men do not understand justice, but they who crave and seek the Lord understand it fully.

6 B etter is the poor man who walks in his integrity than he who willfully goes in double and wrong ways, though he is rich.

7 W hoever keeps the law is a wise son, but he who is a companion of gluttons and the carousing, self-indulgent, and extravagant shames his father.

8 H e who by charging excessive interest and who by unjust efforts to get gain increases his material possession gathers it for him who is kind and generous to the poor.

9 H e who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination, hateful and revolting.

10 W hoever leads the upright astray into an evil way, he will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.

11 T he rich man is wise in his own eyes and conceit, but the poor man who has understanding will find him out.

12 W hen the righteous triumph, there is great glory and celebration; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

13 H e who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sins will obtain mercy.

14 B lessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is the man who reverently and worshipfully fears at all times, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

15 L ike a roaring lion or a ravenous and charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness and unjust gain shall prolong his days.

17 I f a man willfully sheds the blood of a person, he is fleeing to the pit (the grave) and hastening to his own destruction; let no man stop him!

18 H e who walks uprightly shall be safe, but he who willfully goes in double and wrong ways shall fall in one of them.

19 H e who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless people and pursuits will have poverty enough.

20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich shall not go unpunished.

21 T o have respect of persons and to show partiality is not good, neither is it good that man should transgress for a piece of bread.

22 H e who has an evil and covetous eye hastens to be rich and knows not that want will come upon him.

23 H e who rebukes a man shall afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.

24 W hoever robs his father or his mother and says, This is no sin—he is in the same class as a destroyer.

25 H e who is of a greedy spirit stirs up strife, but he who puts his trust in the Lord shall be enriched and blessed.

26 H e who leans on, trusts in, and is confident of his own mind and heart is a fool, but he who walks in skillful and godly Wisdom shall be delivered.

27 H e who gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will have many a curse.

28 W hen the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase and become many.