Proverbs 19
1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than one of perverse lips, who is a fool.
Conducting our lives as we should [even though] we are poor is better than being foolish and telling lies.
2 Also in the want of knowledge in the soul there is nothing good; and he that hasteneth with his feet misseth the right path.
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 folly of a man perverteth his way, and against the Lord will his heart rage.
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 Wealth bringeth many friends; but the poor becometh separated from his [only] friend.
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 witness shall not remain unpunished, and he that uttereth lies shall not escape.
Those who tell lies in court will surely be punished [LIT]; they will not escape it.
6 Many will entreat the favor of the liberal man; and every one is the friend to him that bestoweth gifts.
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 brothers of the poor hate him: how much more do his friends go far away from him! he pursueth [their] promises; but these are [all] that he hath.
[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 getteth intelligence loveth his own soul: he that guardeth understanding will find happiness.
Those who become wise [IDM] are doing a favor for themselves; those who get good sense will prosper.
9 A false witness shall not remain unpunished, and he that uttereth lies shall perish.
Those who tell lies in court will certainly be punished [LIT]; they will be ruined.
10 Delicacy is not seemly for a fool: much less for a servant to have rule over 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 It is intelligence in man to be slow in his anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
Those who have good sense do not quickly become angry; people respect those who ignore offensive [things that people say to them].
12 Like the roaring of a young lion is the wrath of a king: as dew upon the herbs is his favor.
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 calamity unto his father is a foolish son; and a continual dropping are the quarrels of a wife.
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 wealth are an inheritance from fathers; but from the Lord [cometh] an intelligent wife.
We [can] inherit a house or money from our parents [when they die], but only Yahweh [can] give someone a sensible wife.
15 Slothfulness casteth [man] into a deep sleep; and an indolent soul will suffer hunger.
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 observeth the commandment guardeth his own soul: but he that disregardeth [directing] his ways [aright] shall die.
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 lendeth unto the Lord that is liberal to the poor, and his good deed will he repay unto him.
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 Chastise thy son, for there is hope; and let not thy soul spare [him] for his crying.
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 great fury must suffer punishment; for if thou deliver him, thou must still do it again.
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 Hear counsel, and accept correction, in order that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
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 There are many thoughts in a man's heart; but the counsel of the Lord alone will stand firm.
People plan to do many [kinds of things], but what will happen is what Yahweh has decided will happen.
22 The longing of a man is [to exercise] his kindness; and a poor man is better than a liar.
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 fear of the Lord leadeth unto life: and he [that hath it] shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
[Those who have] an awesome respect for Yahweh will live [a long life]; they rest peacefully and are not harmed [during the night].
24 When a slothful man hath hidden his hand in the dish, then will he not even bring it back to his mouth.
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 simple will become prudent; and if one that hath understanding be admonished, he will understand 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 plundereth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that bringeth shame and dishonor.
Anyone who mistreats/abuses his father or forces his mother to leave the home is a child who is acting shamefully and disgracefully.
27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth [thee] to err from the sayings of knowledge.
My son, if you stop learning things, you will [soon] forget what [you already] know.
28 An ungodly witness scorneth at justice, and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth mischief.
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 Punishments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
[God] is ready to punish those who make fun [of him/religion]; those who do foolish things deserve to be flogged/whipped.
