¹ The impious flees, though no one pursues. But the just, like a confident lion, shall be without dread.

² Because of the sins of the land, it has many princes. And because of the wisdom of a man, and the knowledge of those things that are said, the life of the leader shall be prolonged.

³ A poor man slandering the poor is like a violent rainstorm in advance of a famine.

⁴ Those who abandon the law praise the impious. Those who guard it are inflamed against him.

⁵ Evil men do not intend judgment. But those who inquire after the Lord turn their souls toward all things.

⁶ Better is the pauper walking in his simplicity, than the rich walking in ways of depravity.

⁷ Whoever keeps the law is a wise son. But whoever feeds gluttons brings shame to his father.

⁸ Whoever piles up riches by usury and profit gathers them for him who will give freely to the poor.

⁹ Whoever turns away his ears from listening to the law: his prayer will be detestable.

¹⁰ Whoever deceives the just in a malicious way will fall into his own perdition. And the simple shall possess his goods.

¹¹ The rich one seems wise to himself. But the poor one, being prudent, shall evaluate him.

¹² In the exultation of the just, there is great glory. When the impious reign, men are brought to ruin.

¹³ Whoever hides his crimes will not be guided. But whoever will have confessed and abandoned them shall overtake mercy.

¹⁴ Blessed is the man who is ever fearful. Yet truly, whoever is hardened in mind will fall into evil.

¹⁵ An impious leader over a poor people is like a roaring lion and a hungry bear.

¹⁶ A leader destitute of prudence will oppress many through false accusations. But whoever hates avarice shall prolong his days.

¹⁷ A man who slanders the blood of a life, even if he flees to the pit, no one will tolerate him.

¹⁸ Whoever walks simply shall be saved. Whoever is perverse in his steps will fall all at once.

¹⁹ Whoever works his land shall be satisfied with bread. But whoever pursues leisure will be filled with need.

²⁰ A faithful man shall be greatly praised. But whoever rushes to become rich will not be innocent.

²¹ Whoever shows favoritism in judgment does not do well; even if it is for a morsel of bread, he forsakes the truth.

²² A man who hurries to become rich, and who envies others, does not know that destitution will overwhelm him.

²³ Whoever corrects a man, afterward he shall find favor with him, more so than he who deceives him with a flattering tongue.

²⁴ Whoever takes away anything from his father or mother, and who says, “This is not a sin,” is the associate of a murderer.

²⁵ Whoever boasts and enlarges himself stirs up conflicts. Yet truly, whoever trusts in the Lord will be healed.

²⁶ Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool. But whoever treads wisely, the same shall be saved.

²⁷ Whoever gives to the poor shall not be in need. Whoever despises his petition will suffer scarcity.

²⁸ When the impious rise up, men will hide themselves. When they perish, the just shall be multiplied.