Proverbs 19
1 Better is a poor [man] that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2 Also that a person be without knowledge is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet maketh false steps.
Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.
3 The folly of man distorteth his way, and his heart is irritated against Jehovah.
A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.
4 Wealth addeth many friends; but the poor is separated from his friend.
Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
5 A false witness shall not be held innocent, and he that uttereth lies shall not escape.
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.
6 Many court the favour of a noble; and every one is friend to a man that giveth.
Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.
7 All the brethren of a poor [man] hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him: he pursueth [them] with words, — they are not [to be found].
All the brothers of a poor man hate him— how much more do his friends avoid him! He may pursue them with pleading, but they are nowhere to be found.
8 He that getteth sense loveth his own soul; he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.
9 A false witness shall not be held innocent, and he that uttereth lies shall perish.
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.
10 Good living beseemeth not a fool; how much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
Luxury is unseemly for a fool— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
11 The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
12 The king's displeasure is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father; and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
14 House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers; but a prudent wife is from Jehovah.
Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, and the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.
16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul; he that is careless of his ways shall die.
He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.
17 He that is gracious to the poor lendeth unto Jehovah; and what he hath bestowed will he repay unto him.
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
18 Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; but set not thy soul upon killing him.
Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.
19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment; for if thou deliver [him], yet thou must do it again.
A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.
20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.
21 Many are the thoughts in a man's heart, but the counsel of Jehovah, that doth stand.
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
22 The charm of a man is his kindness; and a poor [man] is better than a liar.
The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.
23 The fear of Jehovah [tendeth] to life, and he [that hath it] shall rest satisfied without being visited with evil.
The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.
24 A sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, and will not even bring it to his mouth again.
The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware; reprove the intelligent, and he will understand knowledge.
Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He that ruineth [his] father and chaseth away [his] mother is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.
He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.
27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction which causeth to stray from the words of knowledge.
If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A witness of Belial scorneth judgment, and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth down iniquity.
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.
29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of the foolish.
Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
