28 The wicked run away even when no one is chasing them;
    the right-living, however, stand their ground as boldly as lions.
² Where there is rebellion in a land,
    there are many petty and contending rulers;
But where there is a wise and intelligent leader,
    peace and order endure.

³ A poor person who oppresses others who are poor
    is like a driving rain that destroys the crops and leaves no food.

⁴ Those who turn their backs on God’s teaching applaud the wicked,
    while those who observe His instruction oppose them at every turn.

⁵ Evil people are not able to understand justice,
    but those who pursue the Eternal understand it completely.

⁶ It is better to be a pauper walking in integrity
    than a dishonest man, even if he is rich.

⁷ Whoever follows God’s teaching is a wise child,
    but the one who spends time with gluttons and drunks disgraces his parents.

⁸ Anyone who increases his wealth by charging a high rate of interest
    is only collecting it for another who will deal more liberally with the poor.

⁹ The one who turns his ear from hearing God’s instruction
    will find that even his prayers are detestable to God.

¹⁰ Whoever tries to deceive a good person into taking the path of evil
    will fall into the pit he himself made,
    but the truly honest shall be the heirs of all that is good.

¹¹ A rich man may be wise in his own sight,
    but a perceptive pauper will see right through him.

¹² There is much glory when just men celebrate;
    but when the wicked gain power, people take cover.

¹³ Whoever tries to hide his sins will not succeed,
    but the one who confesses his sins and leaves them behind will find mercy.
¹⁴ Happy is the one who always fears the Lord,
    but the person who hardens his heart to God falls into misfortune.

¹⁵ Like a roaring lion or a charging bear,
    so is a wicked man ruling over an impoverished people.
¹⁶ A leader who lacks intelligence cruelly oppresses the people,
    but one who hates corruption will prosper and live a long life.

¹⁷ A man guilty of murder is a fugitive,
    fleeing to the nearest hole in the ground but not escaping death’s cold pit.
    Don’t do anything to save him.

¹⁸ Whoever walks in honesty will be safe,
    but whoever travels the crooked path will suddenly fall.
¹⁹ Whoever cultivates his land will have plenty of food in the harvest,
    but whoever cultivates worthless ventures will have poverty in abundance.

²⁰ A reliable person will not escape blessings,
    but one who wants to get rich quick will not escape trouble.

²¹ Showing favoritism is not good;
    some will desert the truth for a measly crust of bread.

²² A greedy person is in a hurry to get rich,
    but he is ignorant of the loss that is about to overtake him.

²³ A person who offers constructive criticism will, in the end, be appreciated more
    than a person who engages in empty flattery.

²⁴ One who robs his father or his mother
    and says, “There’s nothing wrong with that! I had it coming!”
    walks in the company of murderers.

²⁵ When the greedy want more, they stir up trouble;
    but when a person trusts in the Eternal, he’s sure to prosper.
²⁶ Anyone who puts confidence only in himself is a fool,
    but the person who follows wisdom will be kept safe.

²⁷ Whoever gives to the poor will have what he needs,
    but the one who shuts his eyes to their plight will face curse after curse.

²⁸ When the wicked have the upper hand, people go into hiding;
    but when they perish, the good folk will begin to increase.