9If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law,

even his prayers are detestable.

10He who leads the upright along an evil path

will fall into his own trap,

but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

11A rich man may be wise in his own eyes,

but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.

12When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;

but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding.

13He who conceals his sins does not prosper,

but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

14Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord,

but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear

is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people.

16A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment,

but he who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long life.

17A man tormented by the guilt of murder

will be a fugitive till death;

let no one support him.

18He whose walk is blameless is kept safe,

but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall.

19He who works his land will have abundant food,

but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

20A faithful man will be richly blessed,

but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

21To show partiality is not good—

yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

22A stingy man is eager to get rich

and is unaware that poverty awaits him.

23He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor

than he who has a flattering tongue.

24He who robs his father or mother

and says, “It’s not wrong”—

he is partner to him who destroys.

25A greedy man stirs up dissension,

but he who trusts in the Lord will prosper.

26He who trusts in himself is a fool,

but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

27He who gives to the poor will lack nothing,

but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.

28When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;

but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.