1 The wicked flee though no one pursues,

but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

2 When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,

but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.

3 A ruler who oppresses the poor

is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,

but those who heed it resist them.

1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth:

But the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof:

But by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor

Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked:

But such as keep the law contend with them.

1 The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,

but the godly are as bold as lions.

2 When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.

But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.

3 A poor person who oppresses the poor

is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.

4 To reject the law is to praise the wicked;

to obey the law is to fight them.

1 The wicked flee when no one pursues,

But the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;

But by a man of understanding and knowledge

Right will be prolonged.

3 A poor man who oppresses the poor

Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.

4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,

But such as keep the law contend with them.

1 Evil people run even though no one is chasing them,

but good people are as brave as a lion.

2 When a country is lawless, it has one ruler after another;

but when it is led by a leader with understanding and knowledge, it continues strong.

3 Rulers who mistreat the poor

are like a hard rain that destroys the crops.

4 Those who disobey what they have been taught praise the wicked,

but those who obey what they have been taught are against them.

1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth;

But the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof;

But by men of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

3 A needy man that oppresseth the poor

Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked;

But such as keep the law contend with them.

1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 By the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; but by a man of understanding and of knowledge, its stability is prolonged.

3 A poor man who oppresseth the helpless is a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked; but such as keep the law contend with them.

1 A wicked person flees when no one is chasing him, 

but righteous people are as bold as lions. 

2 When a country is in revolt, it has many rulers, 

but only with a person who has understanding and knowledge 

will it last a long time. 

3 A poor person who oppresses poorer people 

is like a driving rain that leaves no food. 

4 Those who abandon ⸤God’s⸥ teachings praise wicked people, 

but those who follow ⸤God’s⸥ teachings oppose wicked people. 

1 The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them,

but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

2 When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers,

but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.

3 A destitute leader who oppresses the poor

is like a driving rain that leaves no food.

4 Those who reject the law praise the wicked,

but those who keep the law battle against them.

1 The 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.

1 The wicked flee, but no one pursues,

but the righteous is bold like a lion.

2 By the rebellion of a land, her rulers increase,

but by a person of intelligence who knows justice, it will last.

3 A man who is poor and oppresses the impoverished

is a beating rain that leaves no food.

4 Those who forsake instruction will praise the wicked,

but they who guard instruction will struggle against them.

1 Sinners run away even when no one is chasing them.

But those who do what is right are as bold as lions.

2 A country has many rulers when its people don’t obey.

But an understanding king knows how to keep order.

3 A ruler who beats poor people down

is like a pounding rain that leaves no crops.

4 Those who turn away from the law praise sinners.

But those who obey the law oppose them.

1 The wicked flee when no one is pursuing,

But the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 By the transgression of a land many are its princes,

But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.

3 A poor man who oppresses the lowly

Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.

4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,

But those who keep the law strive with them.