Proverbs 19
1 Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse [in] his lips—who [is] a fool.
The folly of a man spoils his ways: and he blames God in his heart.
2 Also, without knowledge the soul [is] not good, And the hasty in feet is sinning.
3 The folly of man perverts his way, And his heart is angry against YHWH.
4 Wealth adds many friends, And the poor is separated from his neighbor.
Wealth acquires many friends; but the poor is deserted even of the friend he has.
5 A false witness is not acquitted, Whoever breathes out lies is not delivered.
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that accuses unjustly shall not escape.
6 Many beg the face of the noble, And all have made friendship to a man of gifts.
Many court the favour of kings; but every bad man becomes a reproach to [another] man.
7 All the brothers of the poor have hated him, Surely his friends have also been far from him, He is pursuing words—they are not!
Every one who hates [his] poor brother shall also be far from friendship. Good understanding will draw near to them that know it, and a sensible man will find it. He that does much harm perfects mischief; and he that used provoking words shall not escape.
8 Whoever is getting heart is loving his soul, He is keeping understanding to find good.
He that procures wisdom loves himself; and he that keeps wisdom shall find good.
9 A false witness is not acquitted, And whoever breathes out lies perishes.
A false witness shall not be unpunished; and whosoever shall kindle mischief shall perish by it.
10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule among princes.
Delight does not suit a fool, nor [is it seemly] if a servant should begin to rule with haughtiness.
11 The wisdom of a man has deferred his anger, And his glory [is] to pass over transgression.
A merciful man is long-suffering; and his triumph overtakes transgressors.
12 The wrath of a king [is] a growl as of a young lion, And his goodwill as dew on the herb.
The threatening of a king is like the roaring of a lion; but as dew on the grass, so is his favour.
13 A foolish son [is] a calamity to his father, And the contentions of a wife [are] a continual dropping.
A foolish son is a disgrace to his father: vows [paid out] of the hire of a harlot are not pure.
14 House and wealth [are] the inheritance of fathers, And an understanding wife [is] from YHWH.
Fathers divide house and substance to [their] children: but a wife is suited to a man by the Lord.
15 Sloth causes deep sleep to fall, And an indolent soul hungers.
Cowardice possesses the effeminate [man]; and the soul of the sluggard shall hunger.
16 Whoever is keeping the command is keeping his soul, Whoever is despising His ways dies.
He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he that despises his ways shall perish.
17 Whoever is lending [to] YHWH is favoring the poor, And He repays his deed to him.
He that has pity on the poor lends to the Lord; and he will recompense to him according to his gift.
18 Discipline your son, for there is hope, And do not lift up your soul to put him to death.
Chasten thy son, for so he shall be hopeful; and be not exalted in thy soul to haughtiness.
19 A man of great wrath is bearing punishment, For if you deliver, yet again you add.
A malicious man shall be severely punished, and if he commit injury, he shall also lose his life.
20 Hear counsel and receive instruction, So that you are wise in your latter end.
Hear, son, the instruction of thy father, that thou mayest be wise at thy latter end.
21 The purposes in a man’s heart [are] many, And the counsel of YHWH—it stands.
[There are] many thoughts in a man's heart; but the counsel of the Lord abides for ever.
22 The desirableness of a man [is] his kindness, And the poor [is] better than a liar.
Mercy is a fruit to a man: and a poor man is better than a rich liar.
23 The fear of YHWH [is] to life, And he remains satisfied—he is not charged with evil.
The fear of the Lord is life to a man: and he shall lodge without fear in places where knowledge is not seen.
24 The slothful has hidden his hand in a dish, Even to his mouth he does not bring it back.
He that unjustly hides his hands in his bosom, will not even [bring] them up to his mouth.
25 Strike a scorner, and the simple acts prudently, And give reproof to the intelligent, He understands knowledge.
When a pestilent character is scourged, a simple man is made wiser: and if thou reprove a wise man, he will understand discretion.
26 Whoever is spoiling a father causes a mother to flee, A son causing shame, and bringing confusion.
He that dishonours his father, and drives away his mother, shall be disgraced and shall be exposed to reproach.
27 Cease, my son, to hear instruction—To err from sayings of knowledge.
A son who ceases to attend to the instruction of a father will cherish evil designs.
28 A worthless witness scorns judgment, And the mouth of the wicked swallows iniquity.
He that becomes surety for a foolish child will despise the ordinance: and the mouth of ungodly men shall drink down judgment.
29 Judgments have been prepared for scorners, And stripes for the back of fools!
Scourges are preparing for the intemperate, and punishments likewise for fools.
