1 The wicked shall flee though no one pursues,
But the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 Because of transgression of a land, many are its rulers;
But by a man of understanding and knowledge, right is maintained.
3 A poor man who oppresses the poor
Is a sweeping rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who forsake the Torah praise the wicked,
Those who guard the Torah strive with them.
5 Evil men do not understand Right-Ruling,
But those who seek 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 understand all.
6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, who is rich.
7 He who watches over the Torah is a discerning son,
But a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 He who increases his possessions by interest and profit
Gathers it for him who shows favour to the poor.
9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the Torah,
Even his prayer is an abomination.
10 He who causes the straight to go astray in an evil way,
Falls into his own pit; But the perfect inherit the good.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding searches him out.
12 When the righteous exult, there is great comeliness;
But when the wicked arise, a man is searched for.
13 He who hides his transgressions does not prosper,
But he who confesses and forsakes them finds compassion.
14 Baruḵ is the man who always reveres,
But he who hardens his heart falls into evil.
15 A roaring lion and a charging bear
Is a wicked ruler over poor people,
16 A leader who lacks understanding is a great oppressor,
But the hater of greed prolongs his days.
17 A man oppressed by blood-guilt flees into a pit;
Let no one help him.
18 He who walks blamelessly is saved,
But the perverted of ways falls at once.
19 He who tills his land is satisfied with bread,
But he who pursues vanities is filled with poverty.
20 A man of truth has many bireḵoth,
But one in a hurry to be rich does not go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man would transgress.
22 A man with an evil eye runs after wealth,
And does not know that poverty awaits him.
23 He who reproves a man finds more favour afterward
Than he who flatters with the tongue.
24 He who robs his father or his mother, and says,
“It is no transgression,”
He is a companion to a destroyer.
25 He who is greedy stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 prospers.
26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But he who walks wisely is delivered.
27 He who gives to the poor does not lack,
But he who hides his eyes has many curses.
28 When the wicked rise up, men hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.