1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; But by men of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
3 A needy man that oppresseth the poor Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men understand not justice; But they that seek Jehovah understand all things.
6 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father.
8 He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit; But the perfect shall inherit good.
11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13 He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.
14 Happy is the man that feareth alway; But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear, So is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17 A man that is laden with the blood of any person Shall flee unto the pit; Let no man stay him.
18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered; But he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings; But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.
21 To have respect of persons is not good; Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.
22 he that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches, And knoweth not that want shall come upon him.
23 He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favor Than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, The same is the companion of a destroyer.
25 He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife; But he that putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be made fat.
26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.
You Must Hear the Gospel
Romans 10:17
You must hear the gospel and then understand and recognize that you are lost without Jesus Christ no matter who you are and no matter what your background is. The Bible tells us that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Before you can be saved, you must understand that you are lost and that the only way to be saved is by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:8) Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)
You Must Believe
Hebrews 11:6
You must believe and have faith in God because “without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) But neither belief alone nor faith alone is sufficient to save. (James 2:19; James 2:24; Matthew 7:21)
You Must Repent
Acts 3:19
You must repent of your sins. (Acts 3:19) But repentance alone is not enough. The so-called “Sinner’s Prayer” that you hear so much about today from denominational preachers does not appear anywhere in the Bible. Indeed, nowhere in the Bible was anyone ever told to pray the “Sinner’s Prayer” to be saved. By contrast, there are numerous examples showing that prayer alone does not save. Saul, for example, prayed following his meeting with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:11), but Saul was still in his sins when Ananias met him three days later (Acts 22:16). Cornelius prayed to God always, and yet there was something else he needed to do to be saved (Acts 10:2, 6, 33, 48). If prayer alone did not save Saul or Cornelius, prayer alone will not save you. You must obey the gospel. (2 Thess. 1:8)
You Must Confess
Romans 10:9
You must confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (Romans 10:9-10) Note that you do NOT need to make Jesus “Lord of your life.” Why? Because Jesus is already Lord of your life whether or not you have obeyed his gospel. Indeed, we obey him, not to make him Lord, but because he already is Lord. (Acts 2:36) Also, no one in the Bible was ever told to just “accept Jesus as your personal savior.” We must confess that Jesus is the Son of God, but, as with faith and repentance, confession alone does not save. (Matthew 7:21)
You Must Be Baptized
Acts 2:38
Having believed, repented, and confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, you must be baptized for the remission of your sins. (Acts 2:38) It is at this point (and not before) that your sins are forgiven. (Acts 22:16) It is impossible to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ without teaching the absolute necessity of baptism for salvation. (Acts 8:35-36; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 3:21) Anyone who responds to the question in Acts 2:37 with an answer that contradicts Acts 2:38 is NOT proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ!
You Must Be Faithful Unto Death
Revelation 2:10
Once you are saved, God adds you to his church and writes your name in the Book of Life. (Acts 2:47; Philippians 4:3) To continue in God’s grace, you must continue to serve God faithfully until death. Unless they remain faithful, those who are in God’s grace will fall from grace, and those whose names are in the Book of Life will have their names blotted out of that book. (Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:5; Galatians 5:4)