1The wicked flee when no one pursues,

but the righteous are as bold as a lion.*

2When a land rebels

it has many rulers;

but with an intelligentq person, honesty endures.*

3A poor person 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 struggle against them.*

5The evil do not understand justice,

but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.*

6Better to be poor and walk in integrity

than to be crooked in one’s ways even though rich.*

7Those who keep the law are wise children,

but companions of gluttons shame their parents.*

8One who augments wealth by exorbitant interest

gathers it for another who is kind to the poor.*

9When one will not listen to the law,

even one’s prayers are an abomination.*

10Those who mislead the upright into evil ways

will fall into pits of their own making,

but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.*

11The rich is wise in self-esteem,

but an intelligent poor person sees through the pose.*

12When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory,

but when the wicked prevail, people go into hiding.*

13No one who conceals transgressions will prosper,

but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.*

14Happy is the one who is never without fear,

but one who is hard-hearted 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 one who hates unjust gain will enjoy a long life.

17If someone is burdened with the blood of another,

let that killer be a fugitive until death;

let no one offer assistance.*

18One who walks in integrity will be safe,

but whoever follows crooked ways will fall into the Pit.r^,*

19Anyone who tills the land will have plenty of bread,

but one who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.*

20The faithful will abound with blessings,

but one who is in a hurry to be rich will not go unpunished.*

21To show partiality is not good,

yet for a piece of bread a person may do wrong.

22The miser is in a hurry to get rich

and does not know that loss is sure to come.

23Whoever rebukes a person will afterward find more favor

than one who flatters with the tongue.*

24Anyone who robs father or mother

and says, “That is no crime,”

is partner to a thug.*

25The greedy person stirs up strife,

but whoever trusts in the Lord will be enriched.*

26Those who trust in their own wits are fools,

but those who walk in wisdom come through safely.

27Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,

but one who turns a blind eye will get many a curse.*

28When the wicked prevail, people go into hiding,

but when they perish, the righteous increase.