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¹The wicked run away when nobody is chasing them, \q but the righteous stand as bold as a lion. ²When a land rebels, it has one ruler after another, \q but a person of understanding and knowledge keeps order lasting.^{a 3}A poor man who exploits the poor \q is like a beating rain that leaves no crops behind.^{b 4}People who abandon God’s instruction speak well of the wicked, \q but those who keep it stand up against them.

⁵Evil people cannot grasp what justice is, \q but those who seek the LORD understand it fully. ⁶It is better to be poor and live with integrity \q than to be rich and two-faced in all you do. ⁷A son who keeps instruction shows good sense, \q but one who runs with gluttons disgraces his father. ⁸Whoever grows rich by charging interest and taking a cut \q is only storing it up for someone who will be generous to the poor. ⁹If anyone refuses to listen to God’s instruction, \q even their prayer is detestable. ¹⁰Whoever lures the upright into an evil path \q will fall into their own pit, \q but the blameless will receive good things. ¹¹The rich may think they are wise, \q but a poor person with insight sees right through them. ¹²When the righteous win, there is great celebration, \q but when the wicked come to power, people go into hiding. ¹³Whoever hides their sins will not succeed, \q but whoever admits them and turns away from them will receive mercy. ¹⁴How blessed is the one who is always reverent, \q but whoever hardens their heart will fall into disaster. ¹⁵Like a roaring lion or a bear on the attack \q is a wicked ruler over helpless people. ¹⁶A ruler without sense is a harsh oppressor, \q but one who hates dishonest gain will reign long.

¹⁷Someone tormented by guilt for shedding blood will be a fugitive until death; \q let no one stand in their way.^{c 18}Whoever lives with integrity will be kept safe, \q but anyone who is double-dealing will suddenly fall. ¹⁹Those who farm their land will have food in plenty, \q but those who chase fantasies will have poverty in plenty. ²⁰A faithful person will be richly blessed, \q but one who rushes to get rich will not escape punishment. ²¹Favoritism is never right, \q yet some will do wrong for a mere scrap of bread. ²²A stingy person is in a rush to get rich, \q not knowing that poverty is on its way. ²³In the end, a person who corrects someone will be more appreciated \q than one who flatters. ²⁴Whoever robs their father or mother \q and says, “There is nothing wrong with that,” \q is no better than a vandal. ²⁵Greedy people stir up conflict, \q but whoever trusts in the LORD will prosper. ²⁶Whoever trusts their own mind is a fool, \q but whoever walks in wisdom will be kept safe. ²⁷Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, \q but whoever looks away from them will receive many curses. ²⁸When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding, \q but when the wicked are destroyed, the righteous flourish.