Proverbs 19
Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse [in] his lips—who [is] a fool.
Also, without knowledge the soul [is] not good, And the hasty in feet is sinning.
3 The folly of a man spoils his ways: and he blames God in his heart.
The folly of man perverts his way, And his heart is angry against YHWH.
4 Wealth acquires many friends; but the poor is deserted even of the friend he has.
Wealth adds many friends, And the poor is separated from his neighbor.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that accuses unjustly shall not escape.
A false witness is not acquitted, Whoever breathes out lies is not delivered.
6 Many court the favour of kings; but every bad man becomes a reproach to [another] man.
Many beg the face of the noble, And all have made friendship to a man of gifts.
7 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.
All the brothers of the poor have hated him, Surely his friends have also been far from him, He is pursuing words—they are not!
8 He that procures wisdom loves himself; and he that keeps wisdom shall find good.
Whoever is getting heart is loving his soul, He is keeping understanding to find good.
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished; and whoever shall kindle mischief shall perish by it.
A false witness is not acquitted, And whoever breathes out lies perishes.
10 Delight does not suit a fool, nor [is it seemly] if a servant should begin to rule with haughtiness.
Luxury is not fitting for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule among princes.
11 A merciful man is longsuffering; and his triumph overtakes transgressors.
The wisdom of a man has deferred his anger, And his glory [is] to pass over transgression.
12 The threatening of a king is like the roaring of a lion; but as dew on the grass, so is his favour.
The wrath of a king [is] a growl as of a young lion, And his goodwill as dew on the herb.
13 A foolish son is a disgrace to his father: vows [paid out] of the hire of a harlot are not pure.
A foolish son [is] a calamity to his father, And the contentions of a wife [are] a continual dropping.
14 Fathers divide house and substance to [their] children: but a wife is suited to a man by the Lord.
House and wealth [are] the inheritance of fathers, And an understanding wife [is] from YHWH.
15 Cowardice possesses the effeminate [man]; and the soul of the sluggard shall hunger.
Sloth causes deep sleep to fall, And an indolent soul hungers.
16 He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he that despises his ways shall perish.
Whoever is keeping the command is keeping his soul, Whoever is despising His ways dies.
17 He that has pity on the poor lends to the Lord; and he will recompense to him according to his gift.
Whoever is lending [to] YHWH is favoring the poor, And He repays his deed to him.
18 Chasten your son, for so he shall be hopeful; and be not exalted in your soul to haughtiness.
Discipline your son, for there is hope, And do not lift up your soul to put him to death.
19 A malicious man shall be severely punished, and if he commit injury, he shall also lose his life.
A man of great wrath is bearing punishment, For if you deliver, yet again you add.
20 Hear, son, the instruction of your father, that you may be wise at your latter end.
Hear counsel and receive instruction, So that you are wise in your latter end.
21 [There are] many thoughts in a man's heart; but the counsel of the Lord abides for ever.
The purposes in a man’s heart [are] many, And the counsel of YHWH—it stands.
22 Mercy is a fruit to a man: and a poor man is better than a rich liar.
The desirableness of a man [is] his kindness, And the poor [is] better than a liar.
23 The fear of the Lord is life to a man: and he shall lodge without fear in places where knowledge is not seen.
The fear of YHWH [is] to life, And he remains satisfied—he is not charged with evil.
24 He that unjustly hides his hands in his bosom, will not even [bring] them up to his mouth.
The slothful has hidden his hand in a dish, Even to his mouth he does not bring it back.
25 When a pestilent character is scourged, a simple man is made wiser: and if you reprove a wise man, he will understand discretion.
Strike a scorner, and the simple acts prudently, And give reproof to the intelligent, He understands knowledge.
26 He that dishonours his father, and drives away his mother, shall be disgraced and shall be exposed to reproach.
Whoever is spoiling a father causes a mother to flee, A son causing shame, and bringing confusion.
27 A son who ceases to attend to the instruction of a father will cherish evil designs.
Cease, my son, to hear instruction—To err from sayings of knowledge.
28 He that becomes surety for a foolish child will despise the ordinance: and the mouth of ungodly men shall drink down judgement.
A worthless witness scorns judgment, And the mouth of the wicked swallows iniquity.
29 Scourges are preparing for the intemperate, and punishments likewise for fools.
Judgments have been prepared for scorners, And stripes for the back of fools!
