1The wicked flee though no-one pursues,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.
3A ruler28:3 Or A poor person who oppresses the poor
is like driving rain that leaves no crops.
4Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
but those who heed it resist them.
5Evildoers do not understand what is right,
but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.
6Better the poor whose way of life is blameless
than the rich whose ways are perverse.
7A discerning son heeds instruction,
but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
8Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor
amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.
9If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
even their prayers are detestable.
10Whoever leads the upright along an evil path
will fall into their own trap,
but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.
11The rich are wise in their own eyes;
one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.
12When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;
but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.
13Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.
15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
16A tyrannical ruler practises extortion,
but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.
17Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder
will seek refuge in the grave;
let no-one hold them back.
18The one whose way of life is blameless is kept safe,
but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.28:18 Syriac (see Septuagint); Hebrew into one
19Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
20A faithful person will be richly blessed,
but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
21To show partiality is not good –
yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22The stingy are eager to get rich
and are unaware that poverty awaits them.
23Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favour
rather than one who has a flattering tongue.
24Whoever robs their father or mother
and says, ‘It’s not wrong,’
is partner to one who destroys.
25The greedy stir up conflict,
but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.
26Those who trust in themselves are fools,
but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
27Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,
but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.
28When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;
but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.
1The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. 2For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.28.2 by…: or, by men of understanding and wisdom shall they likewise be prolonged 3A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.28.3 which…: Heb. without food 4They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. 5Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. 6Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. 7Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.28.7 is a companion…: or, feedeth gluttons 8He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.28.8 unjust…: Heb. by increase 9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. 10Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession. 11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.28.11 own…: Heb. eyes 12When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.28.12 hidden: or, sought for 13He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. 14Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. 15As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. 16The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. 17A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him. 18Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once. 19He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. 20A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.28.20 innocent: or, unpunished 21To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress. 22He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.28.22 hasteth…: or, hath and evil eye hasteth to be rich 23He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. 24Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.28.24 a destroyer: Heb. a man destroying 25He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat. 26He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. 27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. 28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
