² Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;
But by a man of understanding and knowledge
Right will be prolonged.

³ A poor man who oppresses the poor
Is like a driving rain ^[a]which leaves no food.

⁴ Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
But such as keep the law contend with them.

⁵ Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the Lord understand all.

⁶ Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

⁷ Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,
But a companion of gluttons shames his father.

⁸ One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion
Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.

⁹ One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.

¹⁰ Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,
He himself will fall into his own pit;
But the blameless will inherit good.

¹¹ The rich man is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding searches him out.

¹² When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory;
But when the wicked arise, men ^[b]hide themselves.

¹³ He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

¹⁴ Happy is the man who is always reverent,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

¹⁵ Like a roaring lion and a charging bear
Is a wicked ruler over poor people.

¹⁶ A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor,
But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.

¹⁷ A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit;
Let no one help him.

¹⁸ Whoever walks blamelessly will be ^[c]saved,
But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.

¹⁹ He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!

²⁰ A faithful man will abound with blessings,
But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

²¹ To ^[d]show partiality is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

²² A man with an evil eye hastens after riches,
And does not consider that poverty will come upon him.

²³ He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward
Than he who flatters with the tongue.

²⁴ Whoever robs his father or his mother,
And says, “It is no transgression,”
The same is companion to a destroyer.

²⁵ He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.

²⁶ He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

²⁷ He who gives to the poor will not lack,
But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

²⁸ When the wicked arise, men hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.