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

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

3 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 contend with them.

5 E vil 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 perverse in his ways, and he is rich.

7 W hoever 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 excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.

9 H e who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

10 W hoever 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.

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

13 H e who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

14 B lessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

15 A s a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.

16 A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.

17 A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death; no one will support him.

18 W hoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.

19 O ne 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 is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

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

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

23 O ne who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.

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

25 O ne who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.

26 O ne who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

27 O ne 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 thrive.