1 ¶ The wicked flee when no man pursues, but the righteous are bold as a young lion.

The sinful run away when no one is trying to catch them, but those who are right with God have as much strength of heart as a lion.

2 ¶ By the rebellion of the land, many are its princes, but by the man of understanding and wisdom the land shall remain stable.

When a nation sins, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and much learning, it will last a long time.

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

A poor man who makes it hard for the poor is like a heavy rain which leaves no food.

4 ¶ Those that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them.

Those who turn away from the law praise the sinful, but those who keep the law fight against them.

5 ¶ Evil men do not understand judgment, but those that seek the LORD understand all things.

Sinful men do not understand what is right and fair, but those who look to the Lord understand all things.

6 ¶ Better is the poor that walks in his perfection than he that is perverse in his ways, though he is rich.

A poor man who walks in his honor is better than a rich man who is sinful in his ways.

7 ¶ Whosoever keeps the law is a wise son, but he that is a companion of gluttons shames his father.

He who keeps the law is a wise son, but a friend of men who eat too much puts his father to shame.

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

He who gets money by being paid much for the use of it, gathers it for him who will be kind to the poor.

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

He who turns his ear away from listening to the law, even his prayer is a hated thing.

10 ¶ Whosoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit, but the perfect shall inherit every good thing.

He who leads good people into a sinful way will fall into his own deep hole, but good will come to those without blame.

11 ¶ The rich man is wise in his own conceit, but the poor that has understanding is wiser than he.

The rich man is wise in his own eyes, but the poor man who has understanding sees through him.

12 ¶ When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, the sane man hides himself.

When those who are right with God win, there is great honor, but when the sinful rule, men hide themselves.

13 ¶ He that covers his sins shall not prosper, but whosoever confesses and forsakes them shall attain mercy.

It will not go well for the man who hides his sins, but he who tells his sins and turns from them will be given loving-pity.

14 ¶ Blessed is the man that fears God always, but he that hardens his heart shall fall into evil.

Happy is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who makes his heart hard will fall into trouble.

15 ¶ As a roaring lion and a hungry bear, so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

A sinful ruler over poor people is like a lion making noise or a bear running to fight.

16 ¶ The prince void of intelligence is also a great oppressor, but he that hates covetousness shall prolong his days.

A ruler who takes much from the people who have little does not have understanding. But he who hates wanting something that belongs to someone else will live a long time.

17 ¶ A man that does violence to the blood of any person shall flee all the way to the grave, and no one shall sustain him.

A man who is loaded down with the guilt of human blood will run in fear until death. Let no one help him.

18 ¶ Whosoever walks in integrity shall be saved, but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall into one of them.

He who walks without blame will be kept safe, but he who is sinful will fall all at once.

19 ¶ He that tills his land shall be filled with bread, but he that follows after vain persons shall be filled with poverty.

He who works his land will have more than enough food, but he who wastes his time will become very poor.

20 ¶ The man of truth shall abound with blessings, but he that makes haste to be rich shall not be absolved.

A faithful man will have many good things, but he who hurries to be rich will be punished for it.

21 ¶ To have respect of persons in judgment is not good; even for a piece of bread, man will transgress.

To show favor is not good, because a man will sin for a piece of bread.

22 ¶ He that hastens to be rich has an evil eye and does not consider that poverty shall come upon him.

A man with a sinful eye hurries to be rich. He does not know that he will be in need.

23 ¶ He that rebukes a man, afterwards shall find more favour than he that flatters with the tongue.

He who speaks strong words to a man will later find more favor than he who gives false respect with his tongue.

24 ¶ Whosoever robs his father or his mother and says, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of the destroyer.

He who robs his father or his mother, and says, “It is not a sin,” is the friend of a man who destroys.

25 ¶ He that is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he that puts his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

A proud man starts fights, but all will go well for the man who trusts in the Lord.

26 ¶ He that trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whosoever walks in wisdom, he shall be saved.

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be kept safe.

27 ¶ He that gives unto the poor shall never lack, but he that hides his eyes from the poor shall have many a curse.

He who gives to the poor will never want, but many bad things will happen to the man who shuts his eyes to the poor.

28 ¶ When the wicked rise, sane men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous multiply.

When the sinful rule, men hide themselves, but when they pass away, those who do what is right become many.