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Warnings and Instructions

¹ The wicked ^(C1)flee when no one pursues them,
But the righteous are as bold as a lion. ^(VR1)

² When a land does wrong, it has ^(C1)many princes,
But when the ruler is a ^(C2)man of understanding and knowledge, its stability endures.

³ A ^(C1)poor man who oppresses and exploits the lowly
Is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food. ^(VR1)

⁴ Those who ^(F1)set aside the law of God and man ^(C1)praise the wicked,
But those who keep the law of God and man ^(C2)struggle with them. ^(VR1)

⁵ Evil men ^(C1)do not understand justice,
But they who long for and seek the LORD ^(C2)understand it fully. ^(VR1)

^6 (C1)Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than he who is crooked and two-faced though he is rich. ^(VR1)

⁷ He who keeps the law of God and man is a wise and discerning son,
But he who is a companion of ^(C1)gluttons humiliates his father and himself.

⁸ He who increases his wealth by interest and usury (excessive ^(C1)interest)
Gathers it ^(C2)for him who is gracious to the poor. ^(VR1)

⁹ He who turns his ear away from listening to the law of God and man,
Even his ^(C1)prayer is repulsive to God. ^(VR1)

¹⁰ He who leads the upright astray on an evil path
Will ^(C1)himself fall into his own pit,
But the ^(C2)blameless will inherit good.

¹¹ The rich man who is conceited and relies on his wealth instead of God is ^(C1)wise in his own eyes,
But the poor man who has understanding because he relies on God is able to see through him.

¹² When the ^(C1)righteous triumph, there is great glory and celebration;
But ^(C2)when the wicked rise to prominence, men hide themselves.

¹³ He who ^(C1)conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
But whoever ^(C2)confesses and ^(F1)turns away from his sins will find compassion and mercy. ^(VR1)

¹⁴ Blessed and favored by God is the man who ^(C1)fears sin and its consequence at all times,
But he who ^(C2)hardens his heart and is determined to sin will fall into disaster.

¹⁵ Like a ^(C1)roaring lion and a charging bear
Is a ^(C2)wicked ruler over a poor people.

¹⁶ A ^(C1)leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding and common sense and his wickedness shortens his days,
But he who hates unjust gain will be blessed and prolong his days.

¹⁷ A man who ^(C1)is burdened with the guilt of human blood (murder)
Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him or give him refuge.

¹⁸ He who walks blamelessly and uprightly will be kept safe,
But he who is ^(C1)crooked (perverse) will suddenly fall.

^19 (C1)He who cultivates his land will ^(C2)have plenty of bread,
But he who follows worthless people and frivolous pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

²⁰ A ^(C1)faithful (right-minded) man will abound with blessings,
But he who ^(C2)hurries to be rich will not go unpunished. ^(VR1)

²¹ To have regard for one person over another and to ^(C1)show favoritism is not good,
^(C2)Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

²² He who has an ^(C1)evil and envious eye ^(C2)hurries to be rich
And does not know that poverty will come upon him. ^(VR1)

²³ He who appropriately ^(C1)reprimands a wise man will afterward find more favor
Than he who ^(C2)flatters with the tongue.

²⁴ He who ^(C1)robs his father or his mother
And says, "This is no sin,"
Is not only a thief but also the ^(C2)companion of a man who destroys.

²⁵ An arrogant and greedy man ^(C1)stirs up strife,
But he who ^(C2)trusts in the LORD ^(C3)will be blessed and prosper.

²⁶ He who ^(C1)trusts confidently in his own heart is a dull, thickheaded fool,
But he who walks in skillful and godly wisdom will be rescued. ^(VR1)

²⁷ He who ^(C1)gives to the poor will never want,
But he who shuts his eyes from their need will have many curses. ^(VR1)

²⁸ When the wicked rise to power, men hide themselves;
But when the wicked perish, the consistently righteous increase and become great. ^(VR1)