1The wicked person flees when there is no one pursuing,
but the righteous person is as confident as a lion.

2When a country is rebellious it has many princes,
but by someone who is discerning and knowledgeable order is maintained.

3A poor person who oppresses the weak
is like a driving rain without food.

4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
but those who keep the law contend with them.

5Evil people do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord understand it all.

6A poor person who walks in his integrity is better
than one who is perverse in his ways even though he is rich.

7The one who keeps the law is a discerning child,
but a companion of gluttons brings shame to his parents.

8The one who increases his wealth by increasing interest
gathers it for someone who is gracious to the needy.

9The one who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
even his prayer is an abomination.

10The one who leads the upright astray in an evil way
will himself fall into his own pit,
but the blameless will inherit what is good.

11A rich person is wise in his own eyes,
but a discerning poor person can evaluate him properly.

12When the righteous rejoice, great is the glory,
but when the wicked rise to power, people are sought out.

13The one who covers his transgressions will not prosper,
but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will find mercy.

14Blessed is the one who is always cautious,
but whoever hardens his heart will fall into evil.

15Like a roaring lion or a roving bear,
so is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16The prince who is a great oppressor lacks wisdom,
but the one who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

17The one who is tormented by the murder of another will flee to the pit;
let no one support him.

18The one who walks blamelessly will be delivered,
but whoever is perverse in his ways will fall at once.

19The one who works his land will be satisfied with food,
but whoever chases daydreams will have his fill of poverty.

20A faithful person will have an abundance of blessings,
but the one who hastens to gain riches will not go unpunished.

21To show partiality is terrible,
for a person will transgress over the smallest piece of bread.

22The stingy person hastens after riches
and does not know that poverty will overtake him.

23The one who reproves another will in the end find more favor
than the one who flatters with the tongue.

24The one who robs his father and mother and says, “There is no transgression,”
is a companion to the one who destroys.

25The greedy person stirs up dissension,
but the one who trusts in the Lord will prosper.

26The one who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
but the one who walks in wisdom will escape.

27The one who gives to the poor will not lack,
but whoever shuts his eyes to them will receive many curses.

28When the wicked gain control, people hide themselves,
but when they perish, the righteous increase.