28 The sinful run away when no one is trying to catch them, but those who are right with God have as much strength of heart as a lion.

² When a nation sins, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and much learning, it will last a long time.

³ A poor man who makes it hard for the poor is like a heavy rain which leaves no food.

⁴ Those who turn away from the law praise the sinful, but those who keep the law fight against them.

⁵ Sinful men do not understand what is right and fair, but those who look to the Lord understand all things.

⁶ A poor man who walks in his honor is better than a rich man who is sinful in his ways.

⁷ He who keeps the law is a wise son, but a friend of men who eat too much puts his father to shame.

⁸ He who gets money by being paid much for the use of it, gathers it for him who will be kind to the poor.

⁹ He who turns his ear away from listening to the law, even his prayer is a hated thing.

¹⁰ He who leads good people into a sinful way will fall into his own deep hole, but good will come to those without blame.

¹¹ The rich man is wise in his own eyes, but the poor man who has understanding sees through him.

¹² When those who are right with God win, there is great honor, but when the sinful rule, men hide themselves.

¹³ It will not go well for the man who hides his sins, but he who tells his sins and turns from them will be given loving-pity.

¹⁴ Happy is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who makes his heart hard will fall into trouble.

¹⁵ A sinful ruler over poor people is like a lion making noise or a bear running to fight.

¹⁶ A ruler who takes much from the people who have little does not have understanding. But he who hates wanting something that belongs to someone else will live a long time.

¹⁷ A man who is loaded down with the guilt of human blood will run in fear until death. Let no one help him.

¹⁸ He who walks without blame will be kept safe, but he who is sinful will fall all at once.

¹⁹ He who works his land will have more than enough food, but he who wastes his time will become very poor.

²⁰ A faithful man will have many good things, but he who hurries to be rich will be punished for it.

²¹ To show favor is not good, because a man will sin for a piece of bread.

²² A man with a sinful eye hurries to be rich. He does not know that he will be in need.

²³ He who speaks strong words to a man will later find more favor than he who gives false respect with his tongue.

²⁴ He who robs his father or his mother, and says, “It is not a sin,” is the friend of a man who destroys.

²⁵ A proud man starts fights, but all will go well for the man who trusts in the Lord.

²⁶ He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be kept safe.

²⁷ He who gives to the poor will never want, but many bad things will happen to the man who shuts his eyes to the poor.

²⁸ When the sinful rule, men hide themselves, but when they pass away, those who do what is right become many.