1A wicked person flees when no one is chasing him, but righteous people are as bold as lions.

2When a country is in revolt, it has many rulers, but only with a person who has understanding and knowledge will it last a long time.

3A poor person who oppresses poorer people is like a driving rain that leaves no food.

4Those who abandon [God's] teachings praise wicked people, but those who follow [God's] teachings oppose wicked people.

5Evil people do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand everything.

6Better to be a poor person who has integrity than to be rich and double-dealing.

7Whoever follows [God's] teachings is a wise son. Whoever associates with gluttons disgraces his father.

8Whoever becomes wealthy through [unfair] loans and interest collects them for the one who is kind to the poor.

9Surely the prayer of someone who refuses to listen to [God's] teachings is disgusting.

10Whoever leads decent people into evil will fall into his own pit, but innocent people will inherit good things.

11A rich person is wise in his own eyes, but a poor person with understanding sees right through him.

12When righteous people triumph, there is great glory, but when wicked people rise, people hide themselves.

13Whoever covers over his sins does not prosper. Whoever confesses and abandons them receives compassion.

14Blessed is the one who is always fearful [of sin], but whoever is hard-hearted falls into disaster.

15[Like] a roaring lion and a charging bear, [so] a wicked ruler is a threat to poor people.

16A leader without understanding taxes [his people] heavily, but those who hate unjust gain will live longer.

17A person burdened with the guilt of murder will be a fugitive down to his grave. No one will help him.

18Whoever lives honestly will be safe. Whoever lives dishonestly will fall all at once.

19Whoever works his land will have plenty to eat. Whoever chases unrealistic dreams will have plenty of nothing.

20A trustworthy person has many blessings, but anyone in a hurry to get rich will not escape punishment.

21Showing partiality is not good, because some people will turn on you even for a piece of bread.

22A stingy person is in a hurry to get rich, not realizing that poverty is about to overtake him.

23Whoever criticizes people will be more highly regarded in the future than the one who flatters with his tongue.

24The one who robs his father or his mother and says, "It isn't wrong!" is a companion to a vandal.

25A greedy person stirs up a fight, but whoever trusts the LORD prospers.

26Whoever trusts his own heart is a fool. Whoever walks in wisdom will survive.

27Whoever gives to the poor lacks nothing. Whoever ignores the poor receives many curses.

28When wicked people rise, people hide. When they die, righteous people increase.