The wicked flee when no man pursues: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

[When their time comes,] the wicked will flee [and fall] though none pursue, and the righteous [(their heart staunch in the L-rd)] will trust [in Him] as a young lion [(trusts in its strength)].

When the land is sinful, its princes are numerous: but when there is a judicious man, knowing what is right, he shall endure.

It is trouble for the land if their officers are many, and through an understanding, knowing, man it [(the trouble)] is kept off.

A poor man that oppresses the weak is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food.

A poor man [i.e., an ignorant judge] who robs the poor [(by his haste in judgment] is [like] a torrential rain [(which sweeps the field)] and leaves no bread [i.e., no produce].

They who forsake Tora praise the wicked: but such as keep Tora contend with them.

The forsakers of Torah praise the wicked, but the keepers of Torah contend with them.

Evil men understand not justice: but they who seek the Lord understand all things.

Men of evil will not take to heart the retribution [in store for them (and repent of their wickedness)], but the seekers of the L-rd will take all [(good and evil)] to heart.

Better is the poor who walks in his uprightness, than he who deals perversely in his ways, though he be rich.

Better a poor man [(even one who is poor in Torah)] who walks in his innocence [(doing good)] than a devious one who is rich.

A wise son keeps Tora, but he that is a companion of riotous men shames his father.

The keeper of Torah is an understanding son, but the companion of gluttons shames his father.

He who by usury and unjust gain increases his substance, gathers it for him who will graciously regard the poor.

He who increases his wealth through graft and interest gathers it for the patron of the poor. [(His swindling comes to the attention of the authorities and they confiscate his property and devote it to public improvements.)]

He who turns away his ear from hearing Tora, even his prayer is abomination.

One who turns aside his ear from hearing [the] Torah [of another], his prayer, likewise, will be accounted an abomination.

He who causes the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the innocent shall inherit good.

Those who lead the just astray in an evil way will fall in their own pit, but the innocent will inherit [i.e., benefit from] the good [that they bequeath].

The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that has understanding searches him out.

The rich man [i.e., the master] is wise in his eyes, but the poor man [(the disciple)] will question him [(and make him wiser)].

When righteous men rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

In the exultation of the righteous there is much glory, but in the rise of the wicked, men are searched out [and libeled].

He that covers up his sins shall not prosper: but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.

The concealer of his sins will not succeed, but he who acknowledges and forsakes them will be granted mercy.

Happy is the man who fears always: but he who hardens his heart shall fall into mischief.

Fortunate is the man who fears [punishment for sin] always, but he who hardens his heart [against such fear] will fall into the evil.

As a roaring lion, and a hungry bear, so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

A roaring lion and a growling bear is a wicked lord to a poor people.

The prince who lacks understanding is also a great oppressor: but the one who hates covetousness shall prolong his days.

A prince lacking understanding will increase plunder, for [he does not understand that] the hater of plunder prolongs [his] days.

A man that is burdened with the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let none support him.

The man who is guilty of another's blood [i.e., one who causes him to sin and is responsible for the loss of his soul], will run [(to seek forgiveness)] to the pit [i.e., until the day of his death]; he will not be abetted [by Heaven to repent ("so that he not be in Gan Eden and his disciple in Gehinnom")].

He who walks uprightly shall be saved: but he who takes crooked paths shall fall suddenly.

The walker in innocence will be saved [(from all the dangers confronting him)], but he who is devious in his ways will fall [even] in one [(and not rise again)].

He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread: but he who follows after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

The worker of his field will be sated with bread, but the runner after vanities will be sated with poverty.

A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he who makes haste to be rich shall not go unpunished.

The man of faith [(one who separates his tithes in faith, no one but G-d seeing him do so) will receive] an abundance of blessings, but one who is overhasty to get rich [(at the expense of the poor)] will not be absolved.

To have respect of persons is not good: for a man will transgress for a piece of bread.

[For a judge] to show favoritism is not good. Would a man [(a judge)] incriminate himself for a loaf of bread!

The man of evil eye is eager for wealth: he does not know that want will come upon him.

Greedy for wealth is the narrow-eyed man [(he who withholds his tithes)], not knowing that want [(blight)] will befall him [for his greed].

He who rebukes a man shall find more favour afterwards than he who flatters with the tongue.

One who reproves a man [for his sins] after Me [i.e., to follow Me] will find more favor than the "smoother of the tongue."

He who robs his father or his mother, and says, It is no transgression; he is companion of a destroyer.

He who steals from his Father and his mother [(the congregation of Israel) by causing Israel to sin (thereby "stealing" His children from Him and good from them)] is a companion to the destroyer [Yeravam ben Nevat].

He that is of a greedy heart stirs up strife: but he that puts his trust in the Lord shall be made rich.

The "broadener" of his soul [(to attain all of his lusts)] stirs up [against himself] the attribute of justice, and he who trusts to the L-rd will be "fattened."

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool: but he who walks wisely, shall escape.

He who trusts to [(the machinations of)] his heart is a fool, but the walker in [the way of] the wise [(trusting in the L-rd)] will escape [(all evil)].

He who gives to the poor shall not lack: but he who hides his eyes shall have many a curse.

He who gives [charity] to the poor man [will suffer] no want, but he who averts his eyes [from him will suffer] much blight.

When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

When the wicked rise, men hide; but when they go lost, the righteous increase.