1. The wicked flee when no one pursues,
but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2. When a land transgresses, it has many rulers,
but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
its stability will long continue.
3. A poor man who oppresses the poor
is a beating rain that leaves no food.
4. Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
but those who keep the law strive against them.
5. Evil men do not understand justice,
but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.
6. Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
7. The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
but a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8. Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit
gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.
9. If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
even his prayer is an abomination.
10. Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way
will fall into his own pit,
but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
11. A rich man is wise in his own eyes,
but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.
12. When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
13. Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14. Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always,
but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
Comment: I am going to repeat this passage again tomorrow. It seems to me to have two major themes mixed together – justice and suchlike, then there is a lot about poverty. Today I share a few of the thoughts on ‘legal’ things. Legal in a broad sense.
I think since there are so many references to good and bad here I will list them.
- 1. In Hebrew the same word covers righteousness and justice. Let us be lions!
- 2. A country needs a good powerful leader. It needs the stability of a knowledgeable and understanding person. It obviously here includes justice in their character.
- 4. These days we frequently hear that through a gradual process goodness can be by stages labelled as evil. Vice- versa, that evil can become lauded as goodness. They seemed to have had the same problem in Solomon’s day. Isaiah 5 v20 says exactly the same.
- 5. God has the answers to what is just.
- 7. Sons please or shame their parents by their attitude to justice. In the book of Proverbs gluttony and drunkenness are used together, apparently translated from the one Hebrew word.
- 9. You can’t cover evil by hypocrisy – unreal prayer and presumably insincere offerings.
- 10. You can, but don’t lead others astray!
- 13 & 14. Fear God and be prepared to confess.
Prayer: I want to be just and walk in integrity. Please help me.
As I read it! 