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¹ The ungodly man flees when no one pursues: but the righteous is confident as a lion.² By reason of the sins of ungodly men quarrels arise; but a wise man will quell them.³ A bold man oppresses the poor by ungodly deeds. As an impetuous and profitable rain,⁴ so they that forsake the law praise ungodliness; but they that love the law fortify themselves with a wall.⁵ Evil men will not understand judgement: but they that seek the Lord will understand everything.⁶ A poor man walking in truth is better than a rich liar.

⁷ A wise son keeps the law: but he that keeps up debauchery dishonours his father.⁸ He that increases his wealth by usuries and unjust gains, gathers it for him that pities the poor.⁹ He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even he has made his prayer abominable.

¹⁰ He that causes upright men to err in an evil way, himself shall fall into destruction: transgressor also shall pass by prosperity, but shall not enter into it.¹¹ A rich man is wise in his own conceit; but an intelligent poor man will condemn him.¹² By reason of the help of righteous men great glory arises: but in the places of the ungodly men are caught.¹³ He that covers his own ungodliness shall not prosper: but he that blames himself shall be loved.¹⁴ Blessed is the man who religiously fears always: but the hard of heart shall fall into mischiefs.

¹⁵ A hungry lion and a thirsty wolf is he, who, being poor, rules over a poor nation.¹⁶ A king in need of revenues is a great oppressor: but he that hates injustice shall live a long time.¹⁷ He that becomes surety for a man charged with murder shall be an exile, and not in safety. Chasten thy son, and he shall love thee, and give honour to thy soul: he shall not obey a sinful nation.

¹⁸ He that walks justly is assisted: but he that walks in crooked ways shall be entangled therein.¹⁹ He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows idleness shall have plenty of poverty.²⁰ A man worthy of credit shall be much blessed: but the wicked shall not be unpunished.²¹ He that reverences not the persons of the just is not good: such a one will sell a man for a morsel of bread.²² An envious man makes haste to be rich, and knows not that the merciful man will have the mastery over him.²³ He that reproves a man’s ways shall have more favour than he that flatters with the tongue.

²⁴ He that casts off father or mother, and thinks he sins not; the same is partaker with an ungodly man.²⁵ An unbelieving man judges rashly: but he that trusts in the Lord will act carefully.²⁶ He that trusts to a bold heart, such an one is a fool: but he that walks in wisdom shall be safe.²⁷ He that gives to the poor shall not be in want: but he that turns away his eye from him shall be in great distress.²⁸ In the places of ungodly men the righteous mourn: but in their destruction the righteous shall be multiplied.