Proverbs 19
1 Better is the poor who walks in his simplicity, than the rich who twists his lips and is unwise.
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity than he that perverse in his lips and is a fool.
2 Where there is no knowledge of the soul, there is no good. And whoever hurries with his feet will stumble.
Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
3 The foolishness of a man undermines his steps. And then he seethes in his soul against God.
The foolishness of man subverteth his way; and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
4 Riches add many friends. But from the pauper, even those whom he had become separated.
Wealth addeth many friends: but the poor is separated from his friend.
5 A false witness shall not go unpunished. And whoever speaks lies will not escape.
A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that uttereth lies shall not escape.
6 Many honor the character of one who is powerful, and there are friends for a giver of gifts.
Many will entreat the favour of the liberal man: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
7 The brothers of the poor man hate him. Moreover, even his friends have withdrawn far from him. Whoever pursues only words shall have nothing.
All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him! he pursueth [them with] words, [but] they are gone.
8 But whoever possesses reason loves his own soul. And one who guards prudence shall discover good things.
He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9 A false witness shall not go unpunished. And whoever speaks lies will perish.
A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that uttereth lies shall perish.
10 Fine things are not fitting for the foolish, nor is it fitting for a servant to rule over princes.
Delicate living is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11 The doctrine of a man is known through patience. And his glory is to pass beyond iniquities.
The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12 Like the roaring of a lion, so also is the wrath of a king. And his cheerfulness is like the dew upon 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 grief of his father. And an argumentative wife is like a roof that is continually leaking.
A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14 A house and its riches are given by parents. But a prudent wife is particularly from the Lord.
House and riches are an inheritance from fathers: but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 Laziness sends one into a deep sleep, and a dissolute soul will go hungry.
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16 Whoever guards a commandment guards his own soul. But whoever neglects his own way will die.
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul: [but] he that is careless of his ways shall die.
17 Whoever is merciful to the poor lends to the Lord. And he will repay him for his efforts.
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD, and his good deed will he pay him again.
18 Teach your son; do not despair. But do not set your soul toward putting him to death.
Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; and set not thy heart on his destruction.
19 Whoever is impatient will sustain damage. And when it has been taken away, he will set up another.
A man of great wrath shall bear the penalty: for if thou deliver [him], thou must do it yet again.
20 Listen to counsel and take up discipline, so that you may be wise in your latter days.
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21 There are many intentions in the heart of a man. But the will of the Lord shall stand firm.
There are many devices in a man’s heart; but the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
22 An indigent man is merciful. And a pauper is better than a deceitful man.
The desire of a man is [the measure of] his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of the Lord is unto life. And he shall linger in plentitude, without being visited by disaster.
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 lazy conceals his hand under his arm, and he will not so much as bring it to his mouth.
The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 When the pestilent are scourged, the foolish will become wiser. But if you chastise the wise, he will understand discipline.
smite a scorner, and the simple will learn prudence: and reprove one that hath understanding, [and] he will understand knowledge.
26 Whoever afflicts his father and flees from his mother is disreputable and unhappy.
He that spoileth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.
27 Son, do not cease listening to doctrine, and do not be ignorant of the sermons of knowledge.
Cease, my son, to hear instruction [only] to err from the words of knowledge.
28 An unjust witness ridicules judgment. And the mouth of the impious devours iniquity.
A worthless witness mocketh at judgment: and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.
29 Judgments are prepared for those who ridicule. And striking hammers are prepared for the bodies of the foolish.
Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
