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

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: 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.

For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

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

A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

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

They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as 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.

Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things.

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.

Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be 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.

Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth 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.

He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

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

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

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.

Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.

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

The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

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

When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

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

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have 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.

Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

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

As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

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

The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness 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!

A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay 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.

Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

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

He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

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

A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

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.

To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

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

He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

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

He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth 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.

Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of 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.

He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.

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.

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he 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.

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

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

When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.