The Wicked Flee, the Righteous Are Bold
Study note
The wicked run away even when no one is chasing them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. When a country sins, it has many rulers fighting for power, but a wise leader brings stability. A poor person who oppresses other poor people is like a flood that destroys crops and leaves no food.
1 Guilty people run even when nobody is chasing them. But those who do right are as bold as a lion. The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 When a country falls into chaos, rulers keep changing one after another. But a leader who is wise and knowledgeable brings stability that lasts. For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
3 A poor person who exploits other poor people is like a hammering rainstorm that wipes out all the crops. A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4 People who ignore what God says will praise the wicked. But people who follow God's teaching will stand up against them. They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
5 People caught up in evil have no grasp of justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully. Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
6 Being broke but honest is a far better life than being rich and walking a crooked path. Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7 A young person who obeys God's instructions shows true wisdom, but one who hangs out with reckless partiers brings shame to their parents. Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
Confession, Honesty, and Leadership
Study note
These proverbs cover wealth gained unfairly, the power of confession, and the quality of leadership. Verse 13 is one of the most important in the Bible about repentance: whoever hides their sins will not succeed, but whoever confesses and turns away from them will receive mercy. A wicked ruler over helpless people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.
8 You may build wealth by charging unfair rates. But that money will end up with someone who cares for the poor. He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
9 If you refuse to listen to what God has said, even the prayers you send up will be offensive to him. He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
10 If you lead good people down a dangerous road, you will tumble into your own trap. But honest people will receive good things. Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
11 A rich person may think they have all the answers, but a poor person with real understanding sees right through the act. The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12 When righteous people do well, the whole community celebrates. But when wicked people gain power, everyone goes into hiding. When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
13 You will never succeed if you keep your sins a secret. But if you come clean about what you have done and walk away from it, mercy is waiting for you. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
14 Happy is the person who always takes sin gravely. But the one who hardens their heart is headed for trouble. Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15 A wicked ruler over helpless people is scary. He is like a roaring lion or a charging bear. As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16 A leader who does not understand fairness becomes a cruel bully. But a leader who will not be greedy will rule for a long time. The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
Integrity, Greed, and Generosity
Study note
A faithful person will be richly blessed, but whoever rushes to get rich will not go unpunished. Showing favoritism is wrong. A person eager to get rich does not realize that poverty is coming for them.
17 A person carrying the guilt of murder will be on the run for the rest of their life. Do not help them escape. A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
18 If you walk through life with integrity, you will be protected. But if you take the crooked road, one day you will suddenly crash. Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19 Work your land and you will never go hungry. Chase daydreams and you will have more than enough poverty. He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
20 A person you can truly count on will be filled with blessings. But a person always looking for shortcuts to get rich will face trouble. A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
21 Playing favorites is never right. Yet some people can be bribed to do wrong for something as cheap as a piece of bread. To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
22 A greedy person races after wealth. They do not see that poverty is coming up behind them. He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
Honest Rebuke and Trusting God
Study note
Whoever rebukes someone honestly will later be appreciated more than someone who flatters. Stealing from your parents and calling it no sin makes you a partner of destroyers. Whoever trusts in their own heart is a fool, but whoever walks in wisdom will be kept safe. Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing.
23 In the end, someone who had the courage to correct you will earn more of your thanks than someone who just said what you wanted to hear. He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24 Some people steal from their parents. They say it is fine. But it is just as bad as ruining a life. Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
25 A selfish, greedy person keeps stirring up conflicts, but someone who trusts the Lord will have everything they need. He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
26 Relying on your own instincts makes you a fool. Walking through life guided by wisdom keeps you safe. He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27 The person who shares with the poor will always have enough. But the person who pretends not to see them will be loaded down with curses. He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28 When wicked people gain power, everyone scatters and hides. But when they lose that power, the righteous come out and thrive. When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.