Chapter 28

1 The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,

but the godly are as bold as lions.

2 When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.

But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.

3 A poor person who oppresses the poor

is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.

4 To reject the law is to praise the wicked;

to obey the law is to fight them.

5 Evil people don’t understand justice,

but those who follow the Lord understand completely.

6 Better to be poor and honest

than to be dishonest and rich.

7 Young people who obey the law are wise;

those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.*

8 Income from charging high interest rates

will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.

9 God detests the prayers

of a person who ignores the law.

10 Those who lead good people along an evil path

will fall into their own trap,

but the honest will inherit good things.

11 Rich people may think they are wise,

but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.

12 When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.

When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.

13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper,

but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

14 Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,*

but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.

15 A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor

as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.

16 A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people,

but one who hates corruption will have a long life.

17 A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave.

Don’t protect him!

18 The blameless will be rescued from harm,

but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed.

19 A hard worker has plenty of food,

but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.

20 The trustworthy person will get a rich reward,

but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.

21 Showing partiality is never good,

yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.

22 Greedy people try to get rich quick

but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.

23 In the end, people appreciate honest criticism

far more than flattery.

24 Anyone who steals from his father and mother

and says, “What’s wrong with that?”

is no better than a murderer.

25 Greed causes fighting;

trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.

26 Those who trust their own insight are foolish,

but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.

27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,

but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.

28 When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.

When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish.

Chapter 29

1 Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism

will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.

2 When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice.

But when the wicked are in power, they groan.

3 The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,

but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted.

4 A just king gives stability to his nation,

but one who demands bribes destroys it.

5 To flatter friends

is to lay a trap for their feet.

6 Evil people are trapped by sin,

but the righteous escape, shouting for joy.

7 The godly care about the rights of the poor;

the wicked don’t care at all.

8 Mockers can get a whole town agitated,

but the wise will calm anger.

9 If a wise person takes a fool to court,

there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction.

10 The bloodthirsty hate blameless people,

but the upright seek to help them.*

11 Fools vent their anger,

but the wise quietly hold it back.

12 If a ruler pays attention to liars,

all his advisers will be wicked.

13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common—

the Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.

14 If a king judges the poor fairly,

his throne will last forever.

15 To discipline a child produces wisdom,

but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.

16 When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes,

but the godly will live to see their downfall.

17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind

and will make your heart glad.

18 When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.

But whoever obeys the law is joyful.

19 Words alone will not discipline a servant;

the words may be understood, but they are not heeded.

20 There is more hope for a fool

than for someone who speaks without thinking.

21 A servant pampered from childhood

will become a rebel.

22 An angry person starts fights;

a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.

23 Pride ends in humiliation,

while humility brings honor.

24 If you assist a thief, you only hurt yourself.

You are sworn to tell the truth, but you dare not testify.

25 Fearing people is a dangerous trap,

but trusting the Lord means safety.

26 Many seek the ruler’s favor,

but justice comes from the Lord.

27 The righteous despise the unjust;

the wicked despise the godly.

Chapter 30

The Sayings of Agur

The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh contain this message.*

I am weary, O God;

I am weary and worn out, O God.*

2 I am too stupid to be human,

and I lack common sense.

3 I have not mastered human wisdom,

nor do I know the Holy One.

4 Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down?

Who holds the wind in his fists?

Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak?

Who has created the whole wide world?

What is his name—and his son’s name?

Tell me if you know!

5 Every word of God proves true.

He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.

6 Do not add to his words,

or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.

7 O God, I beg two favors from you;

let me have them before I die.

8 First, help me never to tell a lie.

Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!

Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.

9 For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?”

And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.

10 Never slander a worker to the employer,

or the person will curse you, and you will pay for it.

11 Some people curse their father

and do not thank their mother.

12 They are pure in their own eyes,

but they are filthy and unwashed.

13 They look proudly around,

casting disdainful glances.

14 They have teeth like swords

and fangs like knives.

They devour the poor from the earth

and the needy from among humanity.

15 The leech has two suckers

that cry out, “More, more!”*

There are three things that are never satisfied—

no, four that never say, “Enough!”:

16 the grave,*

the barren womb,

the thirsty desert,

the blazing fire.

17 The eye that mocks a father

and despises a mother’s instructions

will be plucked out by ravens of the valley

and eaten by vultures.

18 There are three things that amaze me—

no, four things that I don’t understand:

19 how an eagle glides through the sky,

how a snake slithers on a rock,

how a ship navigates the ocean,

how a man loves a woman.

20 An adulterous woman consumes a man,

then wipes her mouth and says, “What’s wrong with that?”

21 There are three things that make the earth tremble—

no, four it cannot endure:

22 a slave who becomes a king,

an overbearing fool who prospers,

23 a bitter woman who finally gets a husband,

a servant girl who supplants her mistress.

24 There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise:

25 Ants—they aren’t strong,

but they store up food all summer.

26 Hyraxes* —they aren’t powerful,

but they make their homes among the rocks.

27 Locusts—they have no king,

but they march in formation.

28 Lizards—they are easy to catch,

but they are found even in kings’ palaces.

29 There are three things that walk with stately stride—

no, four that strut about:

30 the lion, king of animals, who won’t turn aside for anything,

31 the strutting rooster,

the male goat,

a king as he leads his army.

32 If you have been a fool by being proud or plotting evil,

cover your mouth in shame.

33 As the beating of cream yields butter

and striking the nose causes bleeding,

so stirring up anger causes quarrels.