¹ The wicked flee when no one pursues; ² In rebellion, a land has many rulers, ³ A needy man who oppresses the poor ⁴ Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; ⁵ Evil men don’t understand justice; ⁶ Better is the poor who walks in his integrity ⁷ Whoever keeps the law is a wise son;
but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father. ⁸ He who increases his wealth by excessive interest ⁹ He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, ¹⁰ Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, ¹¹ The rich man is wise in his own eyes;
but the poor who has understanding sees through him. ¹² When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; ¹³ He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, ¹⁴ Blessed is the man who always fears; ¹⁵ As a roaring lion or a charging bear, ¹⁶ A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. ¹⁷ A man who is tormented by blood guilt will be a fugitive until death.
No one will support him. ¹⁸ Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; ¹⁹ One who works his land will have an abundance of food; ²⁰ A faithful man is rich with blessings; ²¹ To show partiality is not good, ²² A stingy man hurries after riches, ²³ One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor ²⁴ Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” ²⁵ One who is greedy stirs up strife; ²⁶ One who trusts in himself is a fool; ²⁷ One who gives to the poor has no lack; ²⁸ When the wicked rise, men hide themselves;