Proverbs

¹⁴Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is the man who reverently and worshipfully fears [the Lord] at all times [regardless of circumstances], but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. ¹⁵Like a roaring lion or a ravenous and charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. ¹⁶A ruler who lacks understanding is [like a wicked one] a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness and unjust gain shall prolong his days. ¹⁷If a man willfully sheds the blood of a person [and keeps the guilt of murder upon his conscience], he is fleeing to the pit (the grave) and hastening to his own destruction; let no man stop him! ¹⁸He who walks uprightly shall be safe, but he who willfully goes in double and wrong ways shall fall in one of them. ¹⁹He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless people and pursuits will have poverty enough. ²⁰A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich [at any cost] shall not go unpunished. [Prov. 13:11; 20:21; 23:4; I Tim. 6:9.]