Proverbs 19
1 Better is the poor man, that walketh in his simplicity, than a rich man that is perverse in his lips, and unwise.
Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2 Where there is no knowledge of the soul, there is no good: and he that is hasty with his feet shall stumble.
Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.
3 The folly of a man supplanteth his seeps: and he fretteth in his mind against God.
A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.
4 Riches make many friends: but from the poor man, even they whom he had, depart.
Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.
6 Many honour the person of him that is mighty, and are friends of him that giveth gifts.
Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.
7 The brethren of the poor man hate him: moreover also his friends have departed far from him. He that followeth after words only, shall have nothing.
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 But he that possesseth a mind, loveth his own soul, and he that keepeth prudence shall find good things.
He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that speaketh lies, shall perish.
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.
10 Delicacies are not seemly for a fool: nor 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 learning of a man is known by patience and his glory is to pass over wrongs.
A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
12 As the roaring of a lion, so also is the anger of a king: and his cheerfulness as the 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 grief of his father: and a wrangling wife is like a roof continually dropping through.
A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
14 House and riches are given by parents: but a prudent wife is properly from the Lord.
Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, and an 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 own soul: but he that neglecteth his own way, shall die.
He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.
17 He that hath mercy on the poor, lendeth to the Lord: and he will repay him.
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
18 Chastise thy son, despair not: but to the killing of him set not thy soul.
Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.
19 He that is impatient, shall suffer damage: and when he shall take away he shall add another thing.
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 mayst be wise in thy latter end.
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.
21 There are many thoughts in the heart of a man: but the will of the Lord shall stand firm.
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
22 A needy man is merciful: and better is the poor than the lying man.
The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.
23 The fear of the Lord is unto life: and he shall abide in fulness without being visited with evil.
The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.
24 The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth.
The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 The wicked man being; scourged, the fool shall be wiser: but if thou rebuke a wise man he will understand discipline.
Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He that afflicteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is infamous and unhappy.
He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.
27 Cease not, O my son, to hear instruction, and be not ignorant of the words of knowledge.
If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 An unjust witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.
29 Judgments are prepared for scorners: and striking hammers for the bodies of fools.
Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
