1The wicked flee when no one pursues,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
1The wicked flee and no one is pursuing, and the righteous are confident as a young lion.
2A land in rebellion has many rulers,
but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.
2In the transgression of the land, many are its princes; and with one man understanding and knowing, so it will last long.
3A destitute leader who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no food.
3A man being poor and oppressing the lowly ones is like a rain beating down and there is no bread.
4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
but those who keep the law resist them.
4Those abandoning instruction praise a wicked one, and those guarding instruction contend with them.
5Evil men do not understand justice,
but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.
5Men of evil do not understand justice, and those seeking YHWH understand all.
6Better a poor man who walks with integrity
than a rich man whose ways are perverse.
6Better one being poor walking in his integrity, than one crooked in his ways, and he is rich.
7A discerning son keeps the law,
but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
7One watching over the law is a discerning son, and one associating with gluttons disgraces his father.
8He who increases his wealth by interest and usury
lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.
8The one multiplying his wealth by interest and usury gathers it for one showing favor to lowly ones.
9Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law,
even his prayer is detestable.
9One turning aside his ear from hearing instruction, even his prayer is an abomination.
10He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit,
but the blameless will inherit what is good.
10One causing the upright to stray onto a path of evil, into his pit he himself will fall, and the blameless ones will inherit good things.
11A rich man is wise in his own eyes,
but a poor man with discernment sees through him.
11A rich man is wise in his own eyes, and a poor one being discerning will search him out.
12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
12In the rejoicing of the righteous is great beauty, and in the rising up of wicked ones, a man hides himself.
13He who conceals his sins will not prosper,
but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
13One covering his transgressions will not prosper, and one confessing and forsaking them will find mercy.
14Blessed is the man who is always reverent,a
but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
14Blessed is the man being reverent continually, and the one hardening his heart will fall into distress.
15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
15A roaring lion and a rushing bear, is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor,
but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.
16A leader lacking in understanding is also abundant of oppressions; one hating dishonest gain prolongs days.
17A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit;a
let no one support him.
17A man pressed down by the bloodshed of a soul will flee into the Pit, with none grabbing hold of him.
18He who walks with integrity will be kept safe,
but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
18One walking blamelessly will be saved, and one crooked in his ways will fall at once.
19The one who works his land will have plenty of food,
but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
19The one working his land will be filled with bread, and the one pursuing empty things will be filled with poverty.
20A faithful man will abound with blessings,
but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
20A man of faithfulness has an abundance of blessings, and the one hurrying to be rich will not be acquitted.
21To show partiality is not good,
yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
21To regard faces is not good, and over a morsel of bread a strong man will transgress.
22A stingy mana hastens after wealth
and does not know that poverty awaits him.
22A man of an evil eye is panicked for wealth, and he does not know that poverty will come upon him.
23He who rebukes a man will later find more favor
than one who flatters with his tongue.
23The one rebuking a man, afterward he will find favor more than one being smooth of tongue.
24He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,”
is a companion to the man who destroys.
24One robbing his father or his mother and saying, “There is no transgression,” he is a companion to the man bringing ruin.
25A greedy man stirs up strife,
but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
25Being wide of appetite stirs up strife, and one trusting upon YHWH will be made fat.
26He who trusts in himself is a fool,
but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
26The one trusting in his heart, he is a fool, and the one walking in wisdom, he will be delivered.
27Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need,
but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.
27One giving to the poor will not lack, and one hiding his eyes has an abundance of curses.
28When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves;
but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
28With the rising up of the wicked, a man hides himself, and with their perishing the righteous multiply.