Proverbs 19
1 Better is the poor that walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Better to be poor but honest than stupid and tell lies.
2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hastens with his feet sins.
It's not good to be someone who doesn't think. If you rush, things go wrong.
3 The foolishness of man perverts his way: and his heart frets against the LORD.
People mess up their lives by their own stupidity, and then get angry with the Lord.
4 Wealth makes many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor.
If you're rich, you get a lot of friends, but if you're poor, you lose any friends you had.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall not escape.
A false witness will be punished; liars won't get away with their lies.
6 Many will entreat the favor of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that gives gifts.
Many ask favors from important people, and everyone's a friend of the generous.
7 All the brothers of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursues them with words, yet they are wanting to him.
If a poor man's relatives can't stand him, how much more will his friends avoid him! He tries to talk with them but they don't listen.
8 He that gets wisdom loves his own soul: he that keeps understanding shall find good.
If you become wise, you have good self-esteem; if you learn good sense you'll be successful.
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall perish.
A false witness will be punished; people who tell lies will perish.
10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
It's not right for stupid people to live in luxury, and it's even worse for a slave to rule over leaders.
11 The discretion of a man defers his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
If you have good sense you'll be slow to get angry; you gain respect by forgiving wrongs.
12 The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favor is as dew on the grass.
When a king gets angry, he sounds like a roaring lion; but his kindness is as soft as 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 stupid son makes his father miserable, and an argumentative wife is like dripping that never stops.
14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
You inherit a house and wealth from your father, but a sensible wife is a gift from the Lord.
15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Lazy people are often fast asleep, but idleness means they're hungry.
16 He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he that despises his ways shall die.
Keep the commandments, and you'll live; despise them and you'll die.
17 He that has pity on the poor lends to the LORD; and that which he has given will he pay him again.
If you're kind to the poor, you're lending to the Lord, and he will repay you well for what you've done.
18 Chasten your son while there is hope, and let not your soul spare for his crying.
Discipline your son while there's still hope, but don't kill him.
19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if you deliver him, yet you must do it again.
People who often get angry have to pay the penalty; if you help them, you'll have to do it again.
20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.
Listen to advice and accept instruction so that you'll eventually become wise.
21 There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
Human beings make many plans in their minds, but the final decision is the Lord's.
22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
The most desirable thing in anyone is trustworthy love; it is better to be poor than a liar.
23 The fear of the LORD tends to life: and he that has it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
Honoring the Lord is life, and you will rest contentedly, safe from harm.
24 A slothful man hides his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
Lazy people put their hands in a dish, and won't even lift the food to their mouths.
25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that has understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
If you punish someone who mocks, you may help an immature person to learn. Correct the wise, and they become wiser.
26 He that wastes his father, and chases away his mother, is a son that causes shame, and brings reproach.
A son who abuses his father and chases away his mother brings shame and disgrace.
27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causes to err from the words of knowledge.
My son, stop listening to my instruction and you'll soon give up following wisdom.
28 An ungodly witness scorns judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
A crooked witness makes a mockery of justice; and the wicked wolf down evil.
29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
Punishment is ready for those who mock; flogging is ready for the backs of the stupid.
