¹The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion. ²By the transgression of a land many are its princes, But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures. ³A poor man who oppresses the lowly Is like a driving rain which leaves no food. ⁴Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But those who keep the law strive with them. ⁵Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the LORD understand all things. ⁶Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than he who is crooked though he be rich. ⁷He who keeps the law is a discerning son, But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father. ⁸He who increases his wealth by interest and usury Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor. ⁹He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. ¹⁰He who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit, But the blameless will inherit good. ¹¹The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding sees through him. ¹²When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. ¹³He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. ¹⁴How blessed is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. 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 he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. ¹⁷A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him. ¹⁸He who walks blamelessly will be delivered, But he who is crooked will fall all at once. ¹⁹He who tills his land will have plenty of food, But he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty. ²⁰A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished. ²¹To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. ²²A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth And does not know that want will come upon him. ²³He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor Than he who flatters with the tongue. ²⁴He who robs his father or his mother And says, "It is not a transgression," Is the companion of a man who destroys. ²⁵An arrogant man stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. ²⁶He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered. ²⁷He who gives to the poor will never want, But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses. ²⁸When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.

By the transgression of a land many are its princes, But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures. A poor man who oppresses the lowly Is like a driving rain which leaves no food. Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But those who keep the law strive with them.