28 The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,
    but the godly are as bold as lions.

⁴ To reject the law is to praise the wicked;
    to obey the law is to fight them.

¹² When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.
    When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.

²⁸ When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.
    When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish.

² When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice.
    But when the wicked are in power, they groan.

⁷ The godly care about the rights of the poor;
    the wicked don’t care at all.

¹⁶ When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes,
    but the godly will live to see their downfall.

²⁷ The righteous despise the unjust;
    the wicked despise the godly.