1The wicked flee when no one is pursuing,But the righteous are[a]bold as a lion.2Due to a[b]wrongdoing of[c]a land its leaders are many,But by a person of understandingand knowledge, so it endures.3A poor man who oppresses the helplessIslike a driving rain[d]which leaves no food.4Those who abandon the Law praise the wicked,But those who keep the Law strive against them.5Evil people do not understand justice,But those who seek the LORD understand everything.6Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity,Than a person who is[e]crooked, though he is rich.7He who keeps the Law is a discerning son,But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.8One who increases his wealth by[f]interestof any kind,Collects it for one who is gracious to the poor.9One who turns his ear away from listening to the Law,Even his prayer is an abomination.10One who leads the upright astray in an evil wayWill himself fall into his own pit,But the blameless will inherit good.11The rich person is wise in his own eyes,But the poor who has understanding[g]sees through him.12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,But when the wicked rise, people[h]hide themselves.13One who conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper,But one who confesses and abandonsthem will find compassion.14How blessed is the person who fears always,But one who hardens his heart will fall into disaster.15Like a roaring lion and a rushing bearIs a wicked ruler over a poor people.16A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding,But a person who hates unjust gain will prolonghis days.17A person who is burdened with the guilt of human bloodWill[i]be a fugitive until death; no one is to support him!18One who walks blamelessly will receive help,But one who is[j]crooked will fall all at once.19One who works his land will have plenty of food,But one who follows emptypursuits will have plenty of poverty.20A faithful person will abound with blessings,