The Boldness of the Righteous

1The vngodly flyeth no man chasynge him, but the rightuous stondeth stiff as a lyon.

2Because of synne ye londe doth oft chaunge hir prynce: but thorow men of vnderstondinge & wysdome a realme endureth longe.

3One poore man oppressinge another by violence, is like a contynuall rayne that destroyeth ye frute.

4They that forsake the lawe, prayse ye vngodly; but soch as kepe the lawe, abhorre them.

5Wicked men discerne not the thinge yt is right, but they that seke after the LORDE, discusse all thinges.

6A poore man ledynge a godly life, is better then the riche that goeth in frowarde wayes.

7Whoso kepeth the lawe, is a childe of vnderstondinge: but he yt fedeth ryotous men, shameth his father.

8Who so increaseth his riches by vautage & wynnynge, let him gather them to helpe the poore withall.

9He that turneth awaye his eare from hearinge ye lawe, his prayer shalbe abhorred.

10Who so ledeth ye rightuous in to an euell waye, shal fall in to his owne pytt, but ye iust shal haue the good in possession.

11The rich man thynketh him self to be wyse, but the poore that hath vnderstondinge, ca perceaue him wel ynough.

12When rightuous men are in prosperite, the doth honoure florish: but when the vngodly come vp, ye state of men chaungeth.

13He that hydeth his synnes, shall not prospere: but who so knowlegeth them and forsaketh them, shall haue mercy.

14Well is him that stodeth allwaye in awe: as for him that hardeneth his herte, he shal fall in to mischefe.

15Like as a roaringe lyon and an hongrie beer, euen so is an vngodly prynce ouer the poore people.

16Where the prynce is without vnderstondinge, there is greate oppression & wronge: but yf he be soch one as hateth couetousnesse, he shal longe raigne.

17He that by violece sheddeth eny mans bloude, shal be a rennagate vnto his graue, and no man shal be able to sucor him.

18Who so leadeth a godly and an innocet life, shalbe safe: but he that goeth frowarde wayes, shall once haue a fall.

19He yt tylleth his londe, shal haue plenteousnesse of bred: but he that foloweth ydilnesse, shal haue pouerte ynough.

20A faithfull man is greatly to be commeded, but he that maketh to moch haist for to be riche, shal not be vngiltie.

21To haue respecte of personnes in iudgment is not good: And why? he will do wronge, yee euen for a pece of bred.

22He that will be rich all to soone, hath an euell eye, and considereth not, that pouerte shall come vpon him.

23He that rebuketh a man, shall fynde more fauoure at ye last, the he that flatreth him.

24Who so robbeth his father and mother, and sayeth it is no synne: the same is like vnto a mortherer.

25He that is of a proude stomacke, stereth vp strife: but he that putteth his trust in ye LORDE, shalbe well fedd.

26He that trusteth in his owne hert, is a foole: but he that dealeth wisely, shalbe safe.

27He that geueth vnto the poore, shal not wante: but he that turneth awaye his eyes from soch as be in necessite, shall suffre greate pouerte himself.

28Whan the vngodly are come vp, men are fayne to hyde them selues: but whe they perish, the rightuous increase.