⁶ Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.

¹² When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

¹ After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes who were with him.

² When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; But when the wicked rule, the people groan.

¹⁴ Then said all the trees to the bramble, Come you, and reign over us.

¹⁵ The bramble said to the trees, If in truth you anoint me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade; and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

¹⁶ Now therefore, if you have dealt truly and righteously, in that you have made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done to him according to the deserving of his hands

¹⁷ (for my father fought for you, and adventured his life, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:

¹⁸ and you are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, seventy persons, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maid-servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother);

¹⁹ if you then have dealt truly and righteously with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice you in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:

²⁰ but if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.

¹³ The king answered the people roughly, and forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him,

¹⁴ and spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

⁸ The wicked walk on every side, When what is vile is exalted among the sons of men.

²⁸ When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous thrive.

³ and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing, and say, "Sit here in a good place;" and you tell the poor man, "Stand there," or "Sit by my footstool;"

⁴ haven't you shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

⁵ Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn't God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him?