Government Leadership

28 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.
⁵ Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the Lord understand all things.
⁶ Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than he who is crooked though he be rich.
⁷ He who keeps the law is a discerning son,
But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.
⁸ He who increases his wealth by interest and usury
Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.
⁹ He who turns away his ear from listening to the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.
¹⁰ He who leads the upright astray in an evil way
Will himself fall into his own pit,
But the blameless will inherit good.
¹¹ The rich man is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding sees through him.
¹² When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
¹³ He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.
¹⁴ How blessed is the man who fears always,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
¹⁵ Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear
Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
¹⁶ A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding,
But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
¹⁷ A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood
Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him.
¹⁸ He who walks blamelessly will be delivered,
But he who is crooked will fall all at once.
¹⁹ He who tills his land will have plenty of food,
But he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty.
²⁰ A faithful man will abound with blessings,
But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.
²¹ To show partiality is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.
²² A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth
And does not know that want will come upon him.
²³ He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
Than he who flatters with the tongue.
²⁴ He who robs his father or his mother
And says, “It is not a transgression,”
Is the companion of a man who destroys.
²⁵ An arrogant man stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the Lord will prosper.
²⁶ He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But he who walks wisely will be delivered.
²⁷ He who gives to the poor will never want,
But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.
²⁸ When the wicked rise, men hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.

29 A man who hardens his neck after much reproof
Will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.
² When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
But when a wicked man rules, people groan.
³ A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
But he who keeps company with harlots wastes his wealth.
⁴ The king gives stability to the land by justice,
But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.
⁵ A man who flatters his neighbor
Is spreading a net for his steps.
⁶ By transgression an evil man is ensnared,
But the righteous sings and rejoices.
⁷ The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor,
The wicked does not understand such concern.
⁸ Scorners set a city aflame,
But wise men turn away anger.
⁹ When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man,
The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.
¹⁰ Men of bloodshed hate the blameless,
But the upright are concerned for his life.
¹¹ A fool always loses his temper,
But a wise man holds it back.
¹² If a ruler pays attention to falsehood,
All his ministers become wicked.
¹³ The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
¹⁴ If a king judges the poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever.
¹⁵ The rod and reproof give wisdom,
But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.
¹⁶ When the wicked increase, transgression increases;
But the righteous will see their fall.
¹⁷ Correct your son, and he will give you comfort;
He will also delight your soul.
¹⁸ Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained,
But happy is he who keeps the law.
¹⁹ A slave will not be instructed by words alone;
For though he understands, there will be no response.
²⁰ Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
²¹ He who pampers his slave from childhood
Will in the end find him to be a son.
²² An angry man stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
²³ A man’s pride will bring him low,
But a humble spirit will obtain honor.
²⁴ He who is a partner with a thief hates his own life;
He hears the oath but tells nothing.
²⁵ The fear of man brings a snare,
But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.
²⁶ Many seek the ruler’s favor,
But justice for man comes from the Lord.
²⁷ An unjust man is abominable to the righteous,
And he who is upright in the way is abominable to the wicked.