Proverbs 19
1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity than he that is perverse in his lips and a fool at the same time.
Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.
3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way; and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.
4 Wealth addeth many friends; but as for the poor, his friend separateth himself from him.
Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that breatheth forth lies shall not escape.
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.
6 Many will entreat the favour of the liberal man; and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.
7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He that pursueth words, they turn against him.
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 wisdom 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 unpunished; and he that breatheth forth lies shall perish.
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.
10 Luxury is not seemly for a fool; 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 It is the discretion of a man to be 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 wrath 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 riches are the inheritance of fathers; but a prudent wife is 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 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; but he that despiseth 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 unto the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and his good deed 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, for there is hope; but set not thy heart on his destruction.
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 interpose, thou wilt add thereto.
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 There are many devices in a man's heart; but the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
22 The lust of a man is his shame; 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 the LORD tendeth to life; and he that hath it shall abide satisfied, he shall not be visited with evil.
The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.
24 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, and will not so much as bring it back to his mouth.
The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 When thou smitest a scorner, the simple will become prudent; and when one that hath understanding is reproved, he will understand knowledge.
Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
26 A son that dealeth shamefully and reproachfully will despoil his father, and chase away his mother.
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 that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 An ungodly witness mocketh at right; 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 stripes for the back of fools.
Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
