1The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers,
but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.
3A destitute leader who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no food.
4Those who reject the law praise the wicked,
but those who keep the law pit themselves against them.
5The evil do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord understand everything.
6Better the poor person who lives with integrity
than the rich one who distorts right and wrong.
7A discerning son keeps the law,
but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.
8Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest
collects it for one who is kind to the poor.
9Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law —
even his prayer is detestable.
10The one who leads the upright into an evil way
will fall into his own pit,
but the blameless will inherit what is good.
11A rich person is wise in his own eyes,
but a poor one who has discernment sees through him.
12When the righteous triumph,
there is great rejoicing,
but when the wicked come to power,
people hide.
13The one who conceals his sins
will not prosper,
but whoever confesses and renounces them
will find mercy.
14Happy is the one who is always reverent,
but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15A wicked ruler over a helpless people
is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.
16A leader who lacks understanding
is very oppressive,
but one who hates dishonest profit
prolongs his life.
17Someone burdened by bloodguilt
will be a fugitive until death.
Let no one help him.
18The one who lives with integrity will be helped,
but one who distorts right and wrong
will suddenly fall.
19The one who works his land
will have plenty of food,
but whoever chases fantasies
will have his fill of poverty.
20A faithful person will have many blessings,
but one in a hurry to get rich
will not go unpunished.
21It is not good to show partiality —
yet even a courageous person may sin for a piece of bread.
22A greedy one is in a hurry for wealth;
he doesn’t know that poverty will come to him.
23One who rebukes a person will later find more favor
than one who flatters with his tongue.
24The one who robs his father or mother
and says, “That’s no sin,”
is a companion to a person who destroys.
25A greedy person stirs up conflict,
but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper.
26The one who trusts in himself is a fool,
but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
27The one who gives to the poor
will not be in need,
but one who turns his eyes away
will receive many curses.
28When the wicked come to power,
people hide,
but when they are destroyed,
the righteous flourish.