1The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as confident as a young lion.
2When a land transgresses, its rulers are many, but by a person of understanding and knowledge, order is prolonged.
3A poor man who oppresses the lowly is a driving rain that leaves no food.
4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law contend with them.
5Men of evil do not understand justice, but those who seek Yahweh understand everything.
6Better a poor man who walks in his integrity than one crooked in his ways, though he is rich.
7He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8He who increases his wealth by interest and usury gathers it for one who is gracious to the lowly.
9He who turns away his ear from hearing the law—even his prayer is an abomination.
10He who leads the upright astray into an evil way will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit good.
11A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a discerning poor man sees through him.
12When the righteous exult, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
13He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find mercy.
14Blessed is the one who fears continually, but he who hardens his heart will fall into disaster.
15A growling lion and a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a lowly people.
16A ruler lacking understanding is also great in oppressions, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17A man burdened by the blood of a life will flee to the pit; let no one support him.
18He who walks blamelessly will be saved, but he who is crooked in his ways will fall in one of them.
19He who works his ground will be satisfied with food, but he who pursues empty things will be satisfied with poverty.
20A faithful man abounds with blessings, but he who hastens to get rich will not go unpunished.
21To show partiality is not good, yet for a piece of bread a man will transgress.
22A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that want will come upon him.
23He who rebukes a person will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.
24He who robs his father and his mother and says, ‘It is no transgression,’ is a companion to a destroyer.
25The greedy one stirs up strife, but he who trusts in Yahweh will be enriched.
26He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
27He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who hides his eyes will get many curses.
28When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Open in the interactive reader →