The Righteous Are Bold as a Lion
1The wicked flee when no one is chasing them, but the righteous are as confident as a young lion. 2When a land rebels, its rulers are many, but with one man of understanding and knowledge, order lasts. 3A poor man who oppresses the poor is a driving rain that leaves no bread. 4Those who abandon the teaching praise the wicked, but those who keep the teaching contend with them. 5Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek Yahweh understand everything. 6Better a poor man who walks in his integrity than a man of crooked ways, though he is rich. 7Whoever keeps the teaching is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father. 8Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and gain gathers it for one who is kind to the poor. 9Whoever turns his ear from hearing the teaching—even his prayer is an abomination. 10Whoever leads the upright astray on an evil road will fall into his own pit, but those of integrity will inherit good. 11A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him. 12When the righteous triumph there is great splendor, but when the wicked rise, people go into hiding. 13Whoever covers his offenses will not prosper, but whoever confesses and abandons them will find mercy. 14Happy is the man who fears continually, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into trouble.
Rulers, Riches and the Poor
15A roaring lion and a charging bear—so is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. 16A leader without understanding is a great oppressor, but whoever hates unjust gain will lengthen his days. 17A man weighed down by another’s blood will be a fugitive to the pit; let no one hold him up. 18Whoever walks in integrity will be saved, but whoever is crooked in his ways will fall all at once. 19Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but whoever chases empty things will have plenty of poverty. 20A faithful man will have many blessings, but whoever rushes to get rich will not go unpunished. 21Showing partiality is not good, yet for a scrap of bread a man will do wrong. 22The man with a greedy eye rushes after wealth and does not know that want is on its way to him. 23Whoever reproves a man will find more favor in the end than one with a flattering tongue. 24Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “It is no offense,” is a companion to a destroyer. 25A greedy man stirs up strife, but whoever trusts in Yahweh will be enriched. 26Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks in wisdom will escape. 27Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but whoever hides his eyes gathers many curses. 28When the wicked rise, people hide themselves; when they perish, the righteous increase.
