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Warnings and Instructions

¹ The wicked ^(C1)flee when no one is pursuing,
But the righteous are ^(F1)bold as a lion.

² Due to a ^(F1)wrongdoing of ^(F2)a land its leaders are ^(C1)many,
But ^(C2)by a person of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.

³ A ^(C1)poor man who oppresses the helpless
Is like a driving rain ^(F1)which leaves no food.

⁴ Those who abandon the Law ^(C1)praise the wicked,
But those who keep the Law ^(C2)strive against them.

⁵ Evil people ^(C1)do not understand justice,
But those who seek the LORD ^(C2)understand everything.

^6 (C1)Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity,
Than a person who is ^(F1)crooked, though he is rich.

⁷ He who keeps the Law is a discerning son,
But he who is a companion of ^(C1)gluttons humiliates his father.

⁸ One who increases his wealth by ^(F1)(C1)interest of any kind,
Collects it ^(C2)for one who is gracious to the poor.

⁹ One who turns his ear away from listening to the Law,
Even his ^(C1)prayer is an abomination.

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

¹¹ The rich person is ^(C1)wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding ^(F1)sees through him.

¹² When the ^(C1)righteous triumph, there is great glory,
But ^(C2)when the wicked rise, people ^(F1)hide themselves.

¹³ One who ^(C1)conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper,
But one who ^(C2)confesses and abandons them will find compassion.

¹⁴ How blessed is the person who ^(C1)fears always,
But one who ^(C2)hardens his heart will fall into disaster.

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

¹⁶ A ^(C1)leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding,
But a person who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

¹⁷ A person who is ^(C1)burdened with the guilt of human blood
Will ^(F1)be a fugitive until death; no one is to support him!

¹⁸ One who walks blamelessly will receive help,
But one who is ^(F1)(C1)crooked will fall all at once.

^19 (C1)One who works his land will ^(C2)have plenty of food,
But one who follows empty pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

²⁰ A ^(C1)faithful person will abound with blessings,
But one who ^(C2)hurries to be rich will not go unpunished.

²¹ To ^(F1)(C1)show partiality is not good,
^(C2)Because for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

²² A person with an ^(C1)evil eye ^(C2)hurries after wealth
And does not know that poverty will come upon him.

²³ One who ^(C1)rebukes a person will afterward find more favor
Than one who ^(C2)flatters with the tongue.

²⁴ He who ^(C1)robs his father or his mother
And says, "There is no wrong done,"
Is the ^(C2)companion of a person who destroys.

²⁵ An ^(F1)arrogant person ^(C1)stirs up strife,
But one who ^(C2)trusts in the LORD ^(C3)will ^(F2)prosper.

²⁶ One who ^(C1)trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But one who walks wisely will flee to safety.

²⁷ One who ^(C1)gives to the poor will never lack anything,
But one who ^(F1)shuts his eyes will have many curses.

²⁸ When the wicked rise, people hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.