Proverbs 19

1 Better is the poore that walketh in his vprightnes, then he that abuseth his lips, and is a foole.

Conducting our lives as we should [even though] we are poor is better than being foolish and telling lies.

2 For without knowledge the minde is not good, and he that hasteth with his feete, sinneth.

Being enthusiastic but not thinking carefully [about what we are about to do] is not good; doing things hastily can cause us a lot of trouble [IDM].

3 The foolishnesse of a man peruerteth his way, and his heart freateth against the Lord.

Some people are ruined as a result of their [own] foolish actions, and when that happens, they [SYN] angrily say that it is Yahweh’s fault.

4 Riches gather many friends: but the poore is separated from his neighbour.

Those who are rich easily find people who want to be their friends, but when [people become] poor, their friends [often] desert them.

5 A false witnes shall not be vnpunished: and he that speaketh lyes, shall not escape.

Those who tell lies in court will surely be punished [LIT]; they will not escape it.

6 Many reuerence the face of the prince, and euery man is friend to him that giueth giftes.

Many [people] try to persuade important people to do favors for them; everyone [wants to] be a friend of those who give gifts.

7 All the brethren of the poore doe hate him: howe much more will his friends depart farre from him? though hee be instant with wordes, yet they will not.

[Even] the relatives of someone who becomes poor hate him, and his friends certainly stay away from him, too; [even] if he tries to talk with them, they will not be his friends [again].

8 He that possesseth vnderstanding, loueth his owne soule, and keepeth wisdome to finde goodnesse.

Those who become wise [IDM] are doing a favor for themselves; those who get good sense will prosper.

9 A false witnes shall not be vnpunished: and he that speaketh lyes, shall perish.

Those who tell lies in court will certainly be punished [LIT]; they will be ruined.

10 Pleasure is not comely for a foole, much lesse for a seruant to haue rule ouer princes.

It is not appropriate for foolish people to live (luxuriously/like rich people), and it is even less appropriate for slaves to rule important officials.

11 The discretion of man deferreth his anger: and his glory is to passe by an offence.

Those who have good sense do not quickly become angry; people respect those who ignore offensive [things that people say to them].

12 The Kings wrath is like the roaring of a lyon: but his fauour is like the dewe vpon ye grasse.

When a king is angry, [that causes people to be afraid of him], like the roar of a lion [causes people to be afraid] [SIM], but if he acts kindly toward people, [they like it just] like [they like] dew on the grass [in the morning].

13 A foolish sonne is the calamitie of his father, and the contentions of a wife are like a continuall dropping.

Foolish children [can] cause disasters to happen to their parents. A wife who constantly (nags/quarrels with) [her husband is as annoying as] water that continually drips [MET].

14 House and riches are the inheritance of the fathers: but a prudent wife commeth of the Lord.

We [can] inherit a house or money from our parents [when they die], but only Yahweh [can] give someone a sensible wife.

15 Slouthfulnes causeth to fall asleepe, and a deceitfull person shall be affamished.

Those who are lazy sleep soundly, but if they are lazy, they will be hungry [because of not earning money to buy food].

16 He that keepeth the commandement, keepeth his owne soule: but hee that despiseth his wayes, shall dye.

Those who obey [God’s] commandments will remain alive [for a long time]; those who despise/disobey them (OR, those who do not control their own conduct) will die [while they are still young].

17 He that hath mercy vpon the poore, lendeth vnto the Lord: and the Lord will recompense him that which he hath giuen.

When we give things to poor [people], [it is as though] we are lending to Yahweh, and he will (pay us back/reward us for what we did).

18 Chasten thy sonne while there is hope, and let not thy soule spare for his murmuring.

Discipline your children while [they are young], while you still hope that [they will learn to behave as they should]; [if you do not discipline them], you are helping them to destroy [themselves].

19 A man of much anger shall suffer punishment: and though thou deliuer him, yet wil his anger come againe.

Those who (do not control their temper/quickly become very angry) will have to endure what happens as a result; [but] if we rescue them [from those troubles once], we will have to continue rescuing them.

20 Heare counsell and receiue instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter ende.

Pay attention when [people give you good] advice and learn from them, in order that you will become wise for the rest of your life.

21 Many deuises are in a mans heart: but the counsell of the Lord shall stand.

People plan to do many [kinds of things], but what will happen is what Yahweh has decided will happen.

22 That that is to be desired of a man, is his goodnes, and a poore man is better then a lyer.

People want others to be loyal to them; it is better to be poor than to tell a lie [to a judge in court in order to get money].

23 The feare of the Lord leadeth to life: and he that is filled therewith, shall continue, and shall not be visited with euill.

[Those who have] an awesome respect for Yahweh will live [a long life]; they rest peacefully and are not harmed [during the night].

24 The slouthfull hideth his hand in his bosome, and wil not put it to his mouth againe.

Some people are extremely lazy; they put their hand in a dish [to take some food] but do not even lift the food up to their mouths.

25 Smite a scorner, and the foolish wil beware: and reproue the prudent, and he wil vnderstand knowledge.

If you punish someone who makes fun of those who are wise, those who (are naive/need to be instructed) will learn to do what is smart; if you rebuke those who are wise, they will [listen to what you say and] become wiser.

26 He that destroyeth his father, or chaseth away his mother, is a lewde and shamefull childe.

Anyone who mistreats/abuses his father or forces his mother to leave the home is a child who is acting shamefully and disgracefully.

27 My sonne, heare no more the instruction, that causeth to erre from ye words of knowledge.

My son, if you stop learning things, you will [soon] forget what [you already] know.

28 A wicked witnes mocketh at iudgement, and the mouth of ye wicked swalloweth vp iniquitie.

Worthless witnesses [in court] make fun of [judges who try to] make fair decisions, and wicked people [enjoy] doing evil [like] they enjoy eating [good food] [MET].

29 But iudgements are prepared for the scorners, and stripes for the backe of the fooles.

[God] is ready to punish those who make fun [of him/religion]; those who do foolish things deserve to be flogged/whipped.