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

The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

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

In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.

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

A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.

4 T hose who forsake the law praise the wicked, But those who keep the law strive with them.

Those 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 those who seek the Lord understand all things.

Evil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek Yahweh understand it fully.

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

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, and 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.

Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who 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 who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.

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

He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an 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.

Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good.

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 eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.

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

When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

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

He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds 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 who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

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

As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.

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

A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long 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 who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death; no one will support him.

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

Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.

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

One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

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

A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

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

To show partiality is not good; yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

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

A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.

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

One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who 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.

Whoever robs his father or his mother, and says, “It’s not wrong.” He is a partner with a destroyer.

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

One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.

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

One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

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

One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.

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

When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.