1 T he wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion.

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

2 B y the transgression of a land many are its princes, But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.

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

3 A poor man who oppresses the lowly Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.

¶ A poor man that 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 strive with them.

¶ Those 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 those who seek the Lord understand all things.

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

6 B etter is the poor who walks in his integrity Than he who is crooked though he be rich.

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

7 H e who keeps the law is a discerning son, But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.

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

8 H e who increases his wealth by interest and usury Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.

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

9 H e who turns away his ear from listening to the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.

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

10 H e who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit, But the blameless will inherit good.

¶ 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.

11 T he rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding sees through him.

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

12 W hen the righteous triumph, there is great glory, But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

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

13 H e who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

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

14 H ow blessed is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

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

15 L ike a roaring lion and a rushing bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

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

16 A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

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

17 A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him.

¶ 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.

18 H e who walks blamelessly will be delivered, But he who is crooked will fall all at once.

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

19 H e who tills his land will have plenty of food, But he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty.

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

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

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

21 T o show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

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

22 A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth And does not know that want will come upon him.

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

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

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

24 H e who robs his father or his mother And says, “It is not a transgression,” Is the companion of a man who destroys.

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

25 A n arrogant man stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will prosper.

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

26 H e who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered.

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

27 H e who gives to the poor will never want, But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

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

28 W hen the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.

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