1 The wicked run when no one is chasing them, but the righteous are as confident as a lion.
2 When a land rebels, it has many rulers, but through a man of understanding and knowledge order is maintained long.
3 A poor man who oppresses the needy is a driving rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who abandon the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law fight against them.
5 Evil men do not grasp what is just, but those who seek the LORD grasp it all.
6 Better a poor man walking in integrity than a rich man whose ways are crooked.
7 One who keeps the law is a discerning son, but one who keeps company with gluttons disgraces his father.
8 Whoever swells his wealth by interest and usury gathers it for one who is kind to the poor.
9 If one turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
10 Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit good things.
11 A rich man is wise in his own sight, but a poor man with understanding sees through him.
12 When the righteous win, there is great splendor, but when the wicked rise up, people go into hiding.
13 One who covers up his transgressions will not prosper, but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14 Happy is the man who is always reverent, but one who hardens his heart will fall into trouble.
15 A growling lion and a prowling bear: such is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will live long.
17 A man weighed down by the blood of another will flee to the pit; let no one hold him back.
18 One who walks blamelessly will be kept safe, but one whose ways are crooked will fall at once.
19 One who tills his ground will have plenty of bread, but one who chases empty things will have plenty of poverty.
20 A faithful man will be rich in blessings, but one in a hurry to get rich will not escape punishment.
21 Partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.
22 A greedy man rushes after wealth and does not realize that poverty is coming on him.
23 One who reproves a man will in the end win more favor than one who has a flattering tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, "That is no transgression," is partner to a destroyer.
25 A greedy man stirs up conflict, but one who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
26 One who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be kept safe.
27 One who gives to the poor will not be in need, but one who shuts his eyes to them will receive many curses.
28 When the wicked rise up, people hide, but when they perish, the righteous multiply.