Read the Bible

¹ Wicked people run away
    when no one chases them,
    but those who live right
    are as brave as lions.
² In time of civil war
    there are many leaders,
    but a sensible leader
    restores law and order.^[a]
3 When someone poor takes over
    and mistreats the poor,
    it's like a heavy rain
    destroying the crops.

⁴ Lawbreakers praise criminals,
    but law-abiding citizens
    always oppose them.
⁵ Criminals don't know
    what justice means,
    but all who respect the Lord
    understand it completely.
⁶ It's better to be poor
    and live right,
    than to be rich
    and dishonest.

⁷ It makes good sense
    to obey the Law of God,
but you disgrace your parents
    if you make friends
    with worthless nobodies.
⁸ If you make money by charging
    high interest rates,
    you will lose it all to someone
    who cares for the poor.
⁹ God cannot stand the prayers
    of anyone who disobeys
    his Law.
¹⁰ By leading good people to sin,
    you dig a pit for yourself,
    but all who live right
    will have a bright future.

¹¹ The rich think highly
    of themselves,
    but anyone poor and sensible
    sees right through them.
¹² When an honest person wins,
    it's time to celebrate;
    when crooks are in control,
    it's best to hide.
¹³ If you don't confess your sins,
    you will be a failure.
But God will be merciful
    if you confess your sins
    and give them up.
¹⁴ The Lord blesses everyone
    who is afraid to do evil,
    but if you are cruel,
    you will end up in trouble.

¹⁵ A ruler who mistreats the poor
is like a roaring lion
    or a bear hunting for food.
¹⁶ A heartless leader is a fool,
    but anyone who refuses
to get rich by cheating others
    will live a long time.
¹⁷ Don't give help to murderers!
    Make them stay on the run
    for as long as they live.^[b]

¹⁸ Honesty will keep you safe,
    but everyone who is crooked
    will suddenly fall.
¹⁹ Work hard, and you will have
    a lot of food;
    waste time, and you will have
    a lot of trouble.

²⁰ God blesses his loyal people,
    but punishes all who want
    to get rich quick.
²¹ It isn't right to be unfair,
but some people can be bribed
    with only a piece of bread.
²² Don't be selfish
    and eager to get rich—
    you will end up worse off
    than you can imagine.

²³ Honest correction
is appreciated
    more than flattery.
²⁴ If you cheat your parents
and don't think it's wrong,
    you are a common thief.
²⁵ Selfish people cause trouble,
    but you will live a full life
    if you trust the Lord.
²⁶ Only fools would trust
    what they alone think,
    but if you live by wisdom,
    you will do all right.

²⁷ Giving to the poor
    will keep you from poverty,
but if you close your eyes
to their needs,
    everyone will curse you.
²⁸ When crooks are in control,
    everyone tries to hide,
    but when they lose power,
    good people are everywhere.