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28The wicked flee when no one pursues,
   but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
² When a land rebels
   it has many rulers;
but with an intelligent ruler
   there is lasting order.^*
3 A ruler^* who oppresses the poor
   is a beating rain that leaves no food.
⁴ Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
   but those who keep the law struggle against them.
⁵ The evil do not understand justice,
   but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.
⁶ Better to be poor and walk in integrity
   than to be crooked in one’s ways even though rich.
⁷ Those who keep the law are wise children,
   but companions of gluttons shame their parents.
⁸ One who augments wealth by exorbitant interest
   gathers it for another who is kind to the poor.
⁹ When one will not listen to the law,
   even one’s prayers are an abomination.
¹⁰ Those who mislead the upright into evil ways
   will fall into pits of their own making,
   but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
¹¹ The rich is wise in self-esteem,
   but an intelligent poor person sees through the pose.
¹² When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
   but when the wicked prevail, people go into hiding.
¹³ No one who conceals transgressions will prosper,
   but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
¹⁴ Happy is the one who is never without fear,
   but one who is hard-hearted will fall into calamity.
¹⁵ Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
   is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
¹⁶ A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor;
   but one who hates unjust gain will enjoy a long life.
¹⁷ If someone is burdened with the blood of another,
   let that killer be a fugitive until death;
   let no one offer assistance.
¹⁸ One who walks in integrity will be safe,
   but whoever follows crooked ways will fall into the Pit.^*
19 Anyone who tills the land will have plenty of bread,
   but one who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
²⁰ The faithful will abound with blessings,
   but one who is in a hurry to be rich will not go unpunished.
²¹ To show partiality is not good—
   yet for a piece of bread a person may do wrong.
²² The miser is in a hurry to get rich
   and does not know that loss is sure to come.
²³ Whoever rebukes a person will afterwards find more favour
   than one who flatters with the tongue.
²⁴ Anyone who robs father or mother
   and says, ‘That is no crime’,
   is partner to a thug.
²⁵ The greedy person stirs up strife,
   but whoever trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
²⁶ Those who trust in their own wits are fools;
   but those who walk in wisdom come through safely.
²⁷ Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,
   but one who turns a blind eye will get many a curse.
²⁸ When the wicked prevail, people go into hiding;
   but when they perish, the righteous increase.