1 T he wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a 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 B ecause of the transgression of a land, many are its princes; But by a man of understanding and knowledge Right will be prolonged.

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 who oppresses the poor Is like a driving 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 T hose who 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 E vil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the Lord understand all.

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

6 B etter is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

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

7 W hoever keeps the law is a discerning son, But 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 O ne who increases his possessions by usury and extortion Gathers it for him who 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 O ne who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.

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

10 W hoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, He himself will fall into his own pit; But the blameless will inherit good.

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 T he rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding searches him out.

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

12 W hen the righteous rejoice, there is great glory; But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves.

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

13 H e who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have 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 H appy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

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

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

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

16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will 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 burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; Let no one help 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 W hoever walks blamelessly will be saved, But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.

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

19 H e who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!

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

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

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

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

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

22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon him.

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

23 H e who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he who 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 W hoever robs his father or his mother, And says, “ It is no transgression,” The same is companion to a 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 H e who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.

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

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

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

27 H e who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

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

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