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

The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.

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

Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes; But by a man of understanding and knowledge Right will be prolonged.

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

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

4 T hose who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them.

Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But such as keep the law contend with them.

5 E vil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek Yahweh understand it fully.

Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the Lord understand all.

6 B etter is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.

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

7 W hoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.

Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, But 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.

One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.

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

One 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.

Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, He himself will fall into his own pit; 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 searches him out.

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

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

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

He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

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

Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

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

Like a roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over poor people.

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

A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.

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

A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; Let no one help him.

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

Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved, But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.

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

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

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

A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens 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.

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

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

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

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

He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he 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.

Whoever robs his father or his mother, And says, “ It is no transgression,” The same is companion to a destroyer.

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

He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.

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

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

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

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

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

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