¹ The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. ² When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order. ³ A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops. ⁴ Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them. ⁵ Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully. ⁶ Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse. ⁷ A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. ⁸ Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.