1The wicked flee when no one is pursuing,

But the righteous are bold as a lion.

2By the transgression of a land many are its princes,

But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.

3A poor man who oppresses the lowly

Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.

4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,

But those who keep the law strive with them.

5Evil men do not understand justice,

But those who seek the Lord understand all things.

6Better is the poor who walks in his integrity

Than he who is crooked though he be rich.

7He who keeps the law is a discerning son,

But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.

8He who increases his wealth by interest and usury

Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.

9He who turns away his ear from listening to the law,

Even his prayer is an abomination.

10He who leads the upright astray in an evil way

Will himself fall into his own pit,

But the blameless will inherit good.

11The rich man is wise in his own eyes,

But the poor who has understanding sees through him.

12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,

But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

13He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,

But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

14How blessed is the man who fears always,

But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

15 Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear

Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding,

But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

17A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood

Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him.

18He who walks blamelessly will be delivered,

But he who is crooked will fall all at once.

19He who tills his land will have plenty of food,

But he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty.

20A faithful man will abound with blessings,

But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.

21To show partiality is not good,

Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

22A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth

And does not know that want will come upon him.

23He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor

Than he who flatters with the tongue.

24He who robs his father or his mother

And says, “It is not a transgression,”

Is the companion of a man who destroys.

25An arrogant man stirs up strife,

But he who trusts in the Lord will prosper.

26He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,

But he who walks wisely will be delivered.

27He who gives to the poor will never want,

But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves;

But when they perish, the righteous increase.

 

Reflection

While confessing we have done something wrong is difficult, if we hide our sins, we suffer even more. Verse 13 tells us, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” In James, we read that we should confess our sins to one another and pray for one another that we may be healed (James 5:16).

Reflect

What happens to those who hide their sin? What happens to those who confess them?

Engage

As we have been talking about hard conversations, admitting our sin to someone can be very difficult. Why do you think confessing and praying for one another brings healing?