1The wicked flee when there is no one pursuing,

But the righteous are [†]secure as a lion.

2By the transgression of a land many are its princes,

But by a man who understands, who knows, so it endures.

3A poor man who oppresses the lowly

Is 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 Yahweh understand all things.

6Better is the poor who walks in his integrity

Than he who is crooked—[†]double dealing—though he be rich.

7He who observes the law is a son who understands,

But he who befriends gluttons humiliates his father.

8He who increases his wealth by interest and usury

Gathers it for him who is gracious to the lowly.

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 lowly who understands [†]searches him.

12When the righteous exult, there is great honor,

But when the wicked rise, man has to be sought out.

13He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,

But he who confesses and forsakes them will receive compassion.

14How blessed is the man who is always in dread,

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 lacks discernment abounds in oppressions,

But he who hates greedy gain will prolong his days.

17A man oppressed with the bloodguilt of life

Will flee until [†]death; let no one uphold him.

18He who walks blamelessly will be saved,

But he who is crooked—[†]double dealing—will fall all at once.

19He who cultivates his ground will be satisfied with food,

But he who pursues empty things will be satisfied with poverty.

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,

Even for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

22A man with an evil eye hurries after wealth

And does not know that want will come upon him.

23He who reproves 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 Yahweh will [†]be enriched.

26He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,

But he who walks wisely will escape.

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.