2
When a land transgresses,
1it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue.
3
2A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.
4
Those who forsake the law
3praise the wicked, but those who keep the law
4strive against them.
5
Evil men
5do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD
6 understand it completely.
6
7Better is a poor man who
8walks in his integrity than a rich man who is
9crooked in his ways.
7
The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but
10a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8
Whoever multiplies his wealth
11by interest and profit
12gathers it for him who is
13generous to the poor.
9
If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his
14prayer is an abomination.
10
Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way
15will fall into his own pit, but the blameless
16will have a goodly inheritance.
11
A rich man is wise in his
17own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding
18will find him out.
12
When
19the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when
20the wicked rise, people hide themselves.