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