< 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 walking in his integrity, Than the perverse [in] his lips, who [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, without knowledge the soul [is] not good, And the hasty in feet is sinning.
3 The foolishness of a man undermines his steps. And then he seethes in his soul against God.
The folly of man perverteth his way, And against Jehovah is his heart wroth.
4 Riches add many friends. But from the pauper, even those whom he had become separated.
Wealth addeth many friends, And the poor from his neighbour is separated.
5 A false witness shall not go unpunished. And whoever speaks lies will not escape.
A false witness is not acquitted, Whoso breatheth out lies is not delivered.
6 Many honor the character of one who is powerful, and there are friends for a giver of gifts.
Many entreat the face of the noble, And all have made friendship to a man of 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 Moreover, even his friends have withdrawn far from him.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 have hated him, Surely also his friends have been far from him, He is pursuing words — they are not!
8 But whoever possesses reason loves his own soul. And one who guards prudence shall discover good things.
Whoso is getting heart is loving his soul, He is keeping understanding to find good.
9 A false witness shall not go unpunished. And whoever speaks lies will perish.
A false witness is not acquitted, And whoso breatheth out lies perisheth.
10 Fine things are not fitting for the foolish, nor is it fitting for a servant to rule over princes.
Luxury is not comely for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule among princes.
11 The doctrine of a man is known through patience. And his glory is to pass beyond iniquities.
The wisdom of a man hath deferred his anger, And his glory [is] to pass over 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 wrath of a king [is] a growl as of a young lion, And as dew on the herb his good-will.
13 A foolish son is the grief of his father. And an argumentative wife is like a roof that is continually leaking.
A calamity to his father [is] a foolish son, 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 wealth [are] the inheritance of fathers, And from Jehovah [is] an understanding wife.
15 Laziness sends one into a deep sleep, and a dissolute soul will go hungry.
Sloth causeth deep sleep to fall, And an indolent soul doth hunger.
16 Whoever guards a commandment guards his own soul. But whoever neglects his own way will die.
Whoso is keeping the command is keeping his soul, Whoso is despising His ways dieth.
17 Whoever is merciful to the poor lends to the Lord. And he will repay him for his efforts.
Whoso is lending [to] Jehovah is favouring the poor, And his deed He repayeth to him.
18 Teach your son; do not despair. But do not set your soul toward putting him to death.
Chastise thy son, for there is hope, And to put him to death lift not up thy soul.
19 Whoever is impatient will sustain damage. And when it has been taken away, he will set up another.
A man of great wrath is bearing punishment, For, if thou dost deliver, yet again thou dost add.
20 Listen to counsel and take up discipline, so that you may be wise in your latter days.
Hear counsel and receive instruction, So that thou art 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.
Many [are] the purposes in a man's heart, And the counsel of Jehovah it standeth.
22 An indigent man is merciful. And a pauper is better than a deceitful man.
The desirableness of a man [is] his kindness, And better [is] the poor 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 Jehovah [is] to life, And satisfied he remaineth — he is not charged with evil.
24 The lazy conceals his hand under his arm, and he will not so much as bring it to his mouth.
The slothful hath hidden his hand in a dish, Even unto his mouth he bringeth it not back.
25 When the pestilent are scourged, the foolish will become wiser. But if you chastise the wise, he will understand discipline.
A scorner smite, and the simple acts prudently, And give reproof to the intelligent, He understandeth knowledge.
26 Whoever afflicts his father and flees from his mother is disreputable and unhappy.
Whoso is spoiling a father causeth a mother to flee, A son causing shame, and bringing confusion.
27 Son, do not cease listening to doctrine, and do not be ignorant of the sermons of knowledge.
Cease, my son, to hear instruction — To err from sayings of knowledge.
28 An unjust witness ridicules judgment. And the mouth of the impious devours iniquity.
A worthless witness scorneth 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 have been prepared for scorners, And stripes for the back of fools!

< Proverbs 19 >