The wicked and the righteous
1
The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer, || And the righteous is confident as a young lion.
2
By the transgression of a land its heads are many, || And by an understanding man, || Who knows right—it is prolonged.
3
A man—poor and oppressing the weak, || [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
4
Those forsaking the Law praise the wicked, || Those keeping the Law plead against them.
5
Evil men do not understand judgment, || And those seeking YHWH understand all.
6
Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, || Than the perverse of ways who is rich.
7
Whoever is keeping the Law is an intelligent son, || And a friend of gluttons || Causes his father to blush.
8
Whoever is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, || Gathers it for one favoring the poor.
9
Whoever is turning his ear from hearing the Law, || Even his prayer [is] an abomination.
10
Whoever is causing the upright to err in an evil way, || He falls into his own pit, || And the perfect inherits good.
11
A rich man is wise in his own eyes, || And the intelligent poor searches him.
12
In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, || And in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.
13
Whoever is covering his transgressions does not prosper, || And he who is confessing and forsaking has mercy.
14
O the blessedness of a man fearing continually, || And whoever is hardening his heart falls into evil.
15
A growling lion, and a ranging bear, || [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
16
A leader lacking understanding multiplies oppressions, || Whoever is hating dishonest gain prolongs days.
17
A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, || Flees to the pit, [and] none takes hold on him [to help].
18
Whoever is walking uprightly is saved, || And the perverted of ways falls at once.
19
Whoever is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, || And whoever is pursuing vanity, || Is filled [with] poverty.
20
A steadfast man has multiplied blessings, || And whoever is hastening to be rich is not acquitted.
21
[It] is not good to discern faces, || And a man transgresses for a piece of bread.
22
The man [with] an evil eye [is] troubled for wealth, || And he does not know that want meets him.
23
Whoever is reproving a man finds grace afterward, || More than a flatterer with the tongue.
24
Whoever is robbing his father or his mother, || And is saying, “It is not transgression,” || He is a companion to a destroyer.
25
Whoever is proud in soul stirs up contention, || And whoever is trusting on YHWH is made fat.
26
Whoever is trusting in his heart is a fool, || And whoever is walking in wisdom is delivered.
27
Whoever is giving to the poor has no lack, || And whoever is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
28
A man is hidden in the rising of the wicked, || And the righteous multiply in their destruction!
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