28 The wicked flee when no one pursues them,
But the righteous are as confident as a lion.
2 When there is transgression in the land, it will have one prince after another,
But with the help of a man of discernment and knowledge, a prince will long endure.
3 A poor man who defrauds the lowly
Is like a rain that sweeps away all the food.
4 Those who abandon the law praise the wicked one,
But those who observe the law are indignant with them.
5 Evil men cannot understand justice,
But those who seek Ahv'ah {Heb. Yahvah} can understand everything.
6 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
Than a rich man whose ways are corrupt.
7 An understanding son observes the law,
But a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
8 The one who increases his wealth by interest and usury
Amasses it for the one who shows favor to the poor.
9 The one refusing to listen to the law
—Even his prayer is detestable.
10 The one misleading the upright into an evil course will fall into his own pit,
But the blameless will inherit what is good.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes,
But a poor man with discernment can see through him.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
But when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.
13 The one covering over his transgressions will not succeed,
But whoever confesses and abandons them will be shown mercy.
14 Happy is the man who is always on guard,
But whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15 Like a growling lion and a charging bear
Is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
16 A leader without discernment abuses his power,
But the one hating dishonest profit will prolong his life.
17 A man burdened with bloodguilt for taking someone’s life will keep fleeing until the grave.
Let no one support him.
18 The one walking faultlessly will be saved,
But the one whose ways are crooked will suddenly fall.
19 The one cultivating his ground will have plenty of bread,
But the one taking up worthless pursuits will have his fill of poverty.
20 A faithful man will receive many blessings,
But the one hastening to get rich will not remain innocent.
21 It is not good to show partiality;
But a man might do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 An envious man is eager for wealth,
Not knowing that poverty will overtake him.
23 Whoever reproves a man will afterward find more favor
Than someone who flatters with his tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father and mother and says, “It is not wrong,”
Is a partner of the man who causes ruin.
25 The greedy person stirs up dissension,
But whoever relies on Ahv'ah {Heb. Yahvah} will prosper.
26 Whoever trusts in his own heart is stupid,
But the one who walks in wisdom will escape.
27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,
But the one who closes his eyes to them will receive many curses.
28 When the wicked rise to power, a man hides himself,
But when they perish, the righteous increase.