< Proverbs 19 >
1 Better is the poor man whose ways are upright, than the man of wealth whose ways are twisted.
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity than he that is perverse in his lips and a fool at the same time.
2 Further, without knowledge desire is not good; and he who is over-quick in acting goes out of the right way.
Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
3 By his foolish behaviour a man's ways are turned upside down, and his heart is bitter against the Lord.
The foolishness of man perverteth his way; and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
4 Wealth makes a great number of friends; but the poor man is parted from his friend.
Wealth addeth many friends; but as for the poor, his friend separateth himself from him.
5 A false witness will not go without punishment, and the breather out of deceit will not go free.
A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that breatheth forth lies shall not escape.
6 Great numbers will make attempts to get the approval of a ruler: and every man is the special friend of him who has something to give.
Many will entreat the favour of the liberal man; and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
7 All the brothers of the poor man are against him: how much more do his friends go far from him! ...
All the brethren of the poor do hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He that pursueth words, they turn against him.
8 He who gets wisdom has love for his soul: he who keeps good sense will get what is truly good.
He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul; he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9 A false witness will not go without punishment, and the breather out of deceit will be cut off.
A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that breatheth forth lies shall perish.
10 Material comfort is not good for the foolish; much less for a servant to be put over rulers.
Luxury is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11 A man's good sense makes him slow to wrath, and the overlooking of wrongdoing is his glory.
It is the discretion of a man to be slow to anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12 The king's wrath is like the loud cry of a lion, but his approval is like dew on the grass.
The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
13 A foolish son is the destruction of his father; and the bitter arguments of a wife are like drops of rain falling without end.
A foolish son is the calamity of his father; and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14 House and wealth are a heritage from fathers, but a wife with good sense is from the Lord.
House and riches are the inheritance of fathers; but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 Hate of work sends deep sleep on a man: and he who has no industry will go without food.
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16 He who keeps the law keeps his soul; but death will be the fate of him who takes no note of the word.
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul; but he that despiseth His ways shall die.
17 He who has pity on the poor gives to the Lord, and the Lord will give him his reward.
He that is gracious unto the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and his good deed will He repay unto him.
18 Give your son training while there is hope; let not your heart be purposing his death.
Chasten thy son, for there is hope; but set not thy heart on his destruction.
19 A man of great wrath will have to take his punishment: for if you get him out of trouble you will have to do it again.
A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment; for if thou interpose, thou wilt add thereto.
20 Let your ear be open to suggestion and take teaching, so that at the end you may be wise.
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21 A man's heart may be full of designs, but the purpose of the Lord is unchanging.
There are many devices in a man's heart; but the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
22 The ornament of a man is his mercy, and a poor man is better than one who is false.
The lust of a man is his shame; and a poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of the Lord gives life: and he who has it will have need of nothing; no evil will come his way.
The fear of the LORD tendeth to life; and he that hath it shall abide satisfied, he shall not be visited with evil.
24 The hater of work puts his hand deep into the basin, and will not even take it to his mouth again.
The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, and will not so much as bring it back to his mouth.
25 When blows overtake the man of pride, the simple will get sense; say sharp words to the wise, and knowledge will be made clear to him.
When thou smitest a scorner, the simple will become prudent; and when one that hath understanding is reproved, he will understand knowledge.
26 He who is violent to his father, driving away his mother, is a son causing shame and a bad name.
A son that dealeth shamefully and reproachfully will despoil his father, and chase away his mother.
27 A son who no longer gives attention to teaching is turned away from the words of knowledge.
Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
28 A good-for-nothing witness makes sport of the judge's decision: and the mouth of evil-doers sends out evil like a stream.
An ungodly witness mocketh at right; and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
29 Rods are being made ready for the man of pride, and blows for the back of the foolish.
Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.