1 T he 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 W hen 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 makes it hard for the poor is like a heavy rain which leaves no food.

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

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

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

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

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

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

10 H e 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 man who has understanding sees through him.

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

13 I t 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 always fears the Lord, but he who makes his heart hard will fall into trouble.

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

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

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

19 H e 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 have many good things, but he who hurries to be rich will be punished for it.

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

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

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

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

25 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 he who walks in wisdom will be kept safe.

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