The wicked flee though no one pursues,28 but the righteous are as bold as a lion. When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,2 but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order. A ruler[a] who oppresses the poor3 is like a driving rain that leaves no crops. Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,4 but those who heed it resist them. Evildoers do not understand what is right,5 but those who seek the LORD understand it fully. Better the poor whose walk is blameless6 than the rich whose ways are perverse. A discerning son heeds instruction,7 but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor8 amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor. If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,9 even their prayers are detestable. Whoever leads the upright along an evil path10 will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance. The rich are wise in their own eyes;11 one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are. When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;12 but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding. Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,13 but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,14 but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. Like a roaring lion or a charging bear15 is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. A tyrannical ruler practices extortion,16 but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign. Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder17 will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back. The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe,18 but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.[b] Those who work their land will have abundant food,19 but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty. A faithful person will be richly blessed,20 but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. To show partiality is not good—21 yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread. The stingy are eager to get rich22 and are unaware that poverty awaits them.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Jul 2013 06:57:45 +0000