Proverbs 19
1 Better is the poor man whose ways are upright, than the man of wealth whose ways are twisted.
2 Further, without knowledge desire is not good; and he who is over-quick in acting goes out of the right way.
3 By his foolish behaviour a man's ways are turned upside down, and his heart is bitter against the Lord.
The folly of a man spoils his ways: and he blames God in his heart.
4 Wealth makes a great number of friends; but the poor man is parted from his friend.
Wealth acquires many friends; but the poor is deserted even of the friend he has.
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 accuses unjustly 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 court the favor of kings; but every bad man becomes a reproach to [another] man.
7 All the brothers of the poor man are against him: how much more do his friends go far from him! ...
Every one who hates [his] poor brother shall also be far from friendship. Good understanding will draw near to them that know it, and a sensible man will find it. He that does much harm perfects mischief; and he that used provoking words shall not escape.
8 He who gets wisdom has love for his soul: he who keeps good sense will get what is truly good.
He that procures wisdom loves himself; and he that keeps wisdom 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 whoever shall kindle mischief shall perish by it.
10 Material comfort is not good for the foolish; much less for a servant to be put over rulers.
Delight does not suit a fool, nor [is it seemly] if a servant should begin to rule with haughtiness.
11 A man's good sense makes him slow to wrath, and the overlooking of wrongdoing is his glory.
A merciful man is longsuffering; and his triumph overtakes transgressors.
12 The king's wrath is like the loud cry of a lion, but his approval is like dew on the grass.
The threatening of a king is like the roaring of a lion; but as dew on the grass, so is his favor.
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 a disgrace to his father: vows [paid out] of the hire of a harlot are not pure.
14 House and wealth are a heritage from fathers, but a wife with good sense is from the Lord.
Fathers divide house and substance to [their] children: but a wife is suited to a man by the Lord.
15 Hate of work sends deep sleep on a man: and he who has no industry will go without food.
Cowardice possesses the effeminate [man]; and the soul of the sluggard shall 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 keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he that despises his ways shall perish.
17 He who has pity on the poor gives to the Lord, and the Lord will give him his reward.
He that has pity on the poor lends to the Lord; and he will recompense to him according to his gift.
18 Give your son training while there is hope; let not your heart be purposing his death.
Chasten your son, for so he shall be hopeful; and be not exalted in your soul to haughtiness.
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 malicious man shall be severely punished, and if he commit injury, he shall also lose his life.
20 Let your ear be open to suggestion and take teaching, so that at the end you may be wise.
Hear, son, the instruction of your father, that you may be wise at your latter end.
21 A man's heart may be full of designs, but the purpose of the Lord is unchanging.
[There are] many thoughts in a man's heart; but the counsel of the Lord abides for ever.
22 The ornament of a man is his mercy, and a poor man is better than one who is false.
Mercy is a fruit to a man: and a poor man is better than a rich 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 is life to a man: and he shall lodge without fear in places where knowledge is not seen.
24 The hater of work puts his hand deep into the basin, and will not even take it to his mouth again.
He that unjustly hides his hands in his bosom, will not even [bring] them up 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 a pestilent character is scourged, a simple man is made wiser: and if you reprove a wise man, he will understand discretion.
26 He who is violent to his father, driving away his mother, is a son causing shame and a bad name.
He that dishonors his father, and drives away his mother, shall be disgraced and shall be exposed to reproach.
27 A son who no longer gives attention to teaching is turned away from the words of knowledge.
A son who ceases to attend to the instruction of a father will cherish evil designs.
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.
He that becomes surety for a foolish child will despise the ordinance: and the mouth of ungodly men shall drink down judgment.
29 Rods are being made ready for the man of pride, and blows for the back of the foolish.
Scourges are preparing for the intemperate, and punishments likewise for fools.
