1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth;

But the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof;

But by men of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

3 A needy man that oppresseth the poor

Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked;

But such as keep the law contend with them.

5 Evil men understand not justice;

But they that seek Jehovah understand all things.

6 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity,

Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son;

But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father.

8 He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase,

Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.

9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law,

Even his prayer is an abomination.

10 Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way,

He shall fall himself into his own pit;

But the perfect shall inherit good.

11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit;

But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory;

But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

13 He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper;

But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.

14 Happy is the man that feareth alway;

But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear,

So is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16 The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor;

But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

17 A man that is laden with the blood of any person

Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him.

18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered;

But he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread;

But he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings;

But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.

21 To have respect of persons is not good;

Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.

22 He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches,

And knoweth not that want shall come upon him.

23 He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favor

Than he that flattereth with the tongue.

24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression,

The same is the companion of a destroyer.

25 He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife;

But he that putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be made fat.

26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool;

But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack;

But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves;

But when they perish, the righteous increase.

1 The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer. And the righteous as a young lion is confident.

2 By the transgression of a land many [are] its heads. And by an intelligent man, Who knoweth right -- it is prolonged.

3 A man -- poor and oppressing the weak, [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.

4 Those forsaking the law praise the wicked, Those keeping the law plead against them.

5 Evil men understand not judgment, And those seeking Jehovah understand all.

6 Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse of ways who is rich.

7 Whoso is keeping the law is an intelligent son, And a friend of gluttons, Doth cause his father to blush.

8 Whoso is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, For one favouring the poor doth gather it.

9 Whoso is turning his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer [is] an abomination.

10 Whoso is causing the upright to err in an evil way, Into his own pit he doth fall, And the perfect do inherit good.

11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, And the intelligent poor searcheth him.

12 In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.

13 Whoso is covering his transgressions prospereth not, And he who is confessing and forsaking hath mercy.

14 O the happiness of a man fearing continually, And whoso is hardening his heart falleth into evil.

15 A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.

16 A leader lacking understanding multiplieth oppressions, Whoso is hating dishonest gain prolongeth days.

17 A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, Unto the pit fleeth, none taketh hold on him.

18 Whoso is walking uprightly is saved, And the perverted of ways falleth at once.

19 Whoso is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoso is pursuing vanity, Is filled [with] poverty.

20 A stedfast man hath multiplied blessings, And whoso is hasting to be rich is not acquitted.

21 To discern faces is not good, And for a piece of bread doth a man transgress.

22 Troubled for wealth [is] the man [with] an evil eye, And he knoweth not that want doth meet him.

23 Whoso is reproving a man afterwards findeth grace, More than a flatterer with the tongue.

24 Whoso is robbing his father, or his mother, And is saying, `It is not transgression,` A companion he is to a destroyer.

25 Whoso is proud in soul stirreth up contention, And whoso is trusting on Jehovah is made fat.

26 Whoso is trusting in his heart is a fool, And whoso is walking in wisdom is delivered.

27 Whoso is giving to the poor hath no lack, And whoso is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.

28 In the rising of the wicked a man is hidden, And in their destruction the righteous multiply!