1 The wicked flee, when no man pursues,
but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 By the sin of the violent quarrels arise,
but a man of sense will extinguish them.
3 A wicked man that oppresses the poor
is a deluging rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who turn from instruction admire the wicked,
but those who observe it are zealous against them.
5 The wicked have no understanding of justice,
but who cares for the Lord understands it completely.
6 Better a poor man whose life is blameless
than one who is crooked, although he be rich.
7 A son that is prudent observes instruction,
but the comrade of profligates shames his father.
8 He that adds to his substance by interest or increase
but gathers for him that is kind to the poor.
9 If one turns a deaf ear to instruction,
his very prayers are detestable.
10 He that turns the upright to wicked ways
will himself fall into the pit that he dug;
but the blameless will come to prosperity.
11 A rich man may think himself wise,
but a poor man with brains can see through him.
12 What a pageant there is, when the just are triumphant!
When the wicked emerge into power, men hide.
13 No man will prosper that covers his sins,
but those that confess and forsake them find mercy.
14 Happy the man who fears always,
but the obstinate plunge to disaster.
15 A roaring lion, a prowling bear,
is a bad man who rules an impoverished people,
16 That prince has no prudence that plays the oppressor.
but long will he live that detests unjust gain.
17 He who sheds the blood of a man —
let him flee to a city, let none apprehend him.
18 The blameless life will be kept in safety,
but the crooked life will suddenly fall.
19 He that tills his land will have plenty of bread.
but idle pursuits end in plenty of poverty.
20 A trustworthy man will be richly blessed,
but who hastes to get riches will not go unpunished.
21 It is wrong for a man to be partial,
to sin for a piece of bread.
22 A greedy man hastes to be rich,
not knowing that want will befall him.
23 A man who reproves gets more thanks in the end
than a smooth-tongued flatterer.
24 One who robs his parents and says, “It is no sin,”
is companion to him who destroys.
25 A greedy man stirs up strife;
he who trusts in the Lord will flourish.
26 He who trusts in himself is a fool;
he who walks in wisdom is safe.
27 He who gives to the poor will not come to want,
but who veileth his eyes will have many a curse.
28 When the wicked emerge into power, men hide;
when they perish, the righteous increase.