1The wicked flee when no one pursues,

but the righteous are bold as a lion.

2When a land transgresses, it has many rulers,

but with a man of understanding and knowledge,

its stability will long continue.

3A poor man who oppresses the poor

is a beating rain that leaves no food.

4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,

but those who keep the law strive against them.

5Evil men do not understand justice,

but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.

6Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity

than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.

7The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,

but a companion of gluttons shames his father.

8Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit28:8 That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor

gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.

9If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,

even his prayer is an abomination.

10Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way

will fall into his own pit,

but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.

11A rich man is wise in his own eyes,

but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.

12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,

but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.

13Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,

but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

14Blessed is the one who fears the LORD28:14 Hebrew lacks the Lord always,

but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear

is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,

but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

17If one is burdened with the blood of another,

he will be a fugitive until death;28:17 Hebrew until the pit

let no one help him.

18Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered,

but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.

19Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,

but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

20A faithful man will abound with blessings,

but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

21To show partiality is not good,

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

22A stingy man28:22 Hebrew A man whose eye is evil hastens after wealth

and does not know that poverty will come upon him.

23Whoever rebukes a man will afterwards find more favour

than he who flatters with his tongue.

24Whoever robs his father or his mother

and says, “That is no transgression”,

is a companion to a man who destroys.

25A greedy man stirs up strife,

but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.

26Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,

but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

27Whoever gives to the poor will not want,

but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.

28When the wicked rise, people hide themselves,

but when they perish, the righteous increase.