1The wicked flee when no one is pursuing,

But the righteous are [a]bold as a lion.

2Due to a [b]wrongdoing of [c]a land its leaders are many,

But by a person of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.

3A poor man who oppresses the helpless

Is like a driving rain [d]which leaves no food.

4Those who abandon the Law praise the wicked,

But those who keep the Law strive against them.

5Evil people do not understand justice,

But those who seek the LORD understand everything.

6Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity,

Than a person who is [e]crooked, though he is rich.

7He who keeps the Law is a discerning son,

But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.

8One who increases his wealth by [f]interest of any kind,

Collects it for one who is gracious to the poor.

9One who turns his ear away from listening to the Law,

Even his prayer is an abomination.

10One who leads the upright astray in an evil way

Will himself fall into his own pit,

But the blameless will inherit good.

11The rich person is wise in his own eyes,

But the poor who has understanding [g]sees through him.

12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,

But when the wicked rise, people [h]hide themselves.

13One who conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper,

But one who confesses and abandons them will find compassion.

14How blessed is the person who fears always,

But one who hardens his heart will fall into disaster.

15Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear

Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding,

But a person who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

17A person who is burdened with the guilt of human blood

Will [i]be a fugitive until death; no one is to support him!

18One who walks blamelessly will receive help,

But one who is [j]crooked will fall all at once.

19One who works his land will have plenty of food,

But one who follows empty pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

20A faithful person will abound with blessings,

But one who hurries to be rich will not go unpunished.

21To [k]show partiality is not good,

Because for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

22A person with an evil eye hurries after wealth

And does not know that poverty will come upon him.

23One who rebukes a person will afterward find more favor

Than one who flatters with the tongue.

24He who robs his father or his mother

And says, “There is no wrong done,”

Is the companion of a person who destroys.

25An [l]arrogant person stirs up strife,

But one who trusts in the LORD will [m]prosper.

26One who trusts in his own heart is a fool,

But one who walks wisely will flee to safety.

27One who gives to the poor will never lack anything,

But one who [n]shuts his eyes will have many curses.

28When the wicked rise, people hide themselves;

But when they perish, the righteous increase.