28 The wicked aflee when no man pursueth:

But the righteous are bold as a lion.

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

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

3  A poor man that oppresseth the dpoor

Is like a esweeping rain †which leaveth no food.

4  They that forsake the law fpraise the wicked:

But such as keep the law gcontend with them.

5  hEvil men understand not judgment:

But ithey that seek the Lord understand all things.

6  kBetter is the poor klthat walketh in his uprightness,

Than he that is lperverse in his ways, though he be rich.

7  Whoso keepeth the law is ma wise son:

But he that ||is a companion of riotous men nshameth his father.

8  oHe that by usury and †unjust gain increaseth his substance,

pHe shall gather it for qhim that will pity the poor.

9  He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law,

Even rhis prayer shall be abomination.

10  Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way,

sHe shall fall himself into his own pit:

But the upright tshall have good things in possession.

11  The rich man is wise †in his own conceit;

But the poor that hath understanding usearcheth him out.

12  xWhen righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory:

But ywhen the wicked rise, a man is ||zhidden.

13  abHe that covereth his sins shall not prosper:

But bwhoso cconfesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

14  Happy is the man dthat feareth ealway:

But he that fhardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

15  gAs a roaring lion, and a hranging bear;

So is ia wicked ruler over the poor people.

16  The prince jthat wanteth understanding is also a great koppressor:

But he that hateth kcovetousness shall prolong his days.

17  lA man that doeth violence to the blood of any person

Shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

18  mWhoso nwalketh uprightly shall be saved:

But he that is nperverse in his ways shall fall at once.

19  oHe that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread:

But he that pfolloweth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

20  A faithful man shall abound with blessings:

But qhe that maketh haste to be rich shall not be ||innocent.

21  rTo have respect of persons is not good:

For sfor a piece of bread that man will transgress.

22  ||tHe that uhasteth to be rich hath van evil eye,

And considereth not that wpoverty shall come upon him.

23  xHe that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour

Than he that yflattereth with the tongue.

24  Whoso robbeth his father or his mother,

And saith, It is no transgression;

The same zis the companion of †za destroyer.

25  aHe that is bof a proud heart cstirreth up strife:

But he that putteth his trust in the Lord dshall be made fat.

26  eHe that trusteth in his own heart is a fool:

But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

27  fHe that giveth unto the poor gshall not lack:

But he that hhideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

28  iWhen the wicked rise, men khide themselves:

But when they perish, the righteous increase.