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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.