1  The wicked flee ^swhen no one pursues,

but the righteous are bold as a lion.

2  When a land transgresses, it has many rulers,

but with a man of understanding and knowledge,

its stability will long continue.

3  A poor man who ^toppresses the poor

is a beating rain that leaves no food.

4  Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,

but those who keep the law strive against them.

5  Evil men ^udo not understand justice,

but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.

6  ^vBetter is a poor man who walks in his integrity

than a rich man who is ^wcrooked in his ways.

7  The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,

but a ^xcompanion of ^ygluttons shames his father.

8  Whoever multiplies his wealth by ^zinterest and profit¹

^agathers it for him who is generous to the poor.

9  If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,

even his ^bprayer is an abomination.

10  ^cWhoever misleads the upright into an evil way

will ^dfall into his own pit,

but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.

11  A rich man is wise in his own eyes,

but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.

12  ^eWhen the righteous triumph, there is great glory,

^fbut when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.

13  Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,

but ^ghe who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

14  ^hBlessed is the one who fears the Lord² always,

but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.