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.

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

¶ 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 makes it hard for the poor is like a heavy 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 turn away from the law praise the sinful, but those who keep the law fight against them.

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

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

¶ Evil men do not understand judgment, but those that seek 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.

¶ 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 wise son, but a friend of men who eat too much puts his father to shame.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

17 A man who is loaded down with the guilt of human blood will run in fear until death. Let no one help 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 without blame will be kept safe, but he who is sinful 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 works his land will have more than enough food, but he who wastes his time will become very poor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

23 H e who speaks strong words to a man will later find more favor than he who gives false respect with his 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 sin,” is the friend 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 proud man starts fights, but all will go well for the man who trusts in the Lord.

¶ 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 in wisdom will be kept safe.

¶ 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 many bad things will happen to the man who shuts his eyes to the poor.

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

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