The Holy Bible: Revised Common Version

1  The wicked flee when no man pursues,/
but the righteous are bold as a lion.

2  For the transgression of a land many are its princes,/
but by a man of understanding and knowledge/
the state thereof shall be prolonged.

3  A poor man who oppresses the poor/
is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food.

4  Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,/
but those who keep the law contend with them.

5  Evil men do not understand judgment,/
but those who seek the LORD understand all things.

6  Better is the poor who walks in his uprightness/
than the rich who is perverse in his ways.

7  He who keeps the law is a wise son,/
but he who is a companion of riotous men shames his father.

8  He who by usury and unjust gain increases his substance,/
he shall gather it for him who will pity the poor.

9  He who turns away his ear from hearing the law,/
even his prayer shall be an abomination.

10 Whoever causes the righteous to go astray in an evil way/
shall fall himself into his own pit,/
but the upright shall have good things in possession.

11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit,/
but the poor man who has understanding searches him out.

12 When righteous men rejoice, there is great glory,/
but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

13 He who covers his sins shall not prosper,/
but he who confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.

14 Happy is the man who fears always,/
but he who hardens his heart shall fall into mischief.

15 As a roaring lion and a hungry bear,/
so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

16 The prince who lacks understanding is also a great oppressor,/
but he who hates covetousness shall prolong his days.

17 A man who does violence to the blood of any person/
shall flee to the pit. Let no man stay him.

18 He who walks uprightly shall be saved,/
but he who is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

19 He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread,/
but he who follows after vain persons shall be filled with poverty.

20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings,/
but he who makes haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

21 To have respect of persons is not good,/
because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

22 He who hastens to be rich has an evil eye/
and does not consider that poverty shall come upon him.

23 He who rebukes a man afterward shall find more favor/
than he who flatters with the tongue.

24 He who robs his father or his mother,/
and says, "It is no transgression,"/
the same is the companion of a destroyer.

25 He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,/
but he who puts his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,/
but whoever walks wisely, he shall be delivered.

27 He who gives to the poor shall lack nothing,/
but he who hides his eyes shall have many curses.

28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves,/
but when they perish, the righteous increase.