Proverbs 19
1 Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse [in] his lips—who [is] a fool.
Better is the poor who walks in his simplicity, than the rich who twists his lips and is unwise.
2 Also, without knowledge the soul [is] not good, And the hasty in feet is sinning.
Where there is no knowledge of the soul, there is no good. And whoever hurries with his feet will stumble.
3 The folly of man perverts his way, And his heart is angry against YHWH.
The foolishness of a man undermines his steps. And then he seethes in his soul against God.
4 Wealth adds many friends, And the poor is separated from his neighbor.
Riches add many friends. But from the pauper, even those whom he had become separated.
5 A false witness is not acquitted, Whoever breathes out lies is not delivered.
A false witness shall not go unpunished. And whoever speaks lies will not escape.
6 Many beg the face of the noble, And all have made friendship to a man of gifts.
Many honor the character of one who is powerful, and there are friends for a giver of gifts.
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!
The brothers of the poor man hate him. Moreover, even his friends have withdrawn far from him. Whoever pursues only words shall have nothing.
8 Whoever is getting heart is loving his soul, He is keeping understanding to find good.
But whoever possesses reason loves his own soul. And one who guards prudence shall discover good things.
9 A false witness is not acquitted, And whoever breathes out lies perishes.
A false witness shall not go unpunished. And whoever speaks lies will perish.
10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule among princes.
Fine things are not fitting for the foolish, nor is it fitting for a servant to rule over princes.
11 The wisdom of a man has deferred his anger, And his glory [is] to pass over transgression.
The doctrine of a man is known through patience. And his glory is to pass beyond iniquities.
12 The wrath of a king [is] a growl as of a young lion, And his goodwill as dew on the herb.
Like the roaring of a lion, so also is the wrath of a king. And his cheerfulness is like the dew upon the grass.
13 A foolish son [is] a calamity to his father, And the contentions of a wife [are] a continual dropping.
A foolish son is the grief of his father. And an argumentative wife is like a roof that is continually leaking.
14 House and wealth [are] the inheritance of fathers, And an understanding wife [is] from YHWH.
A house and its riches are given by parents. But a prudent wife is particularly from the Lord.
15 Sloth causes deep sleep to fall, And an indolent soul hungers.
Laziness sends one into a deep sleep, and a dissolute soul will go hungry.
16 Whoever is keeping the command is keeping his soul, Whoever is despising His ways dies.
Whoever guards a commandment guards his own soul. But whoever neglects his own way will die.
17 Whoever is lending [to] YHWH is favoring the poor, And He repays his deed to him.
Whoever is merciful to the poor lends to the Lord. And he will repay him for his efforts.
18 Discipline your son, for there is hope, And do not lift up your soul to put him to death.
Teach your son; do not despair. But do not set your soul toward putting him to death.
19 A man of great wrath is bearing punishment, For if you deliver, yet again you add.
Whoever is impatient will sustain damage. And when it has been taken away, he will set up another.
20 Hear counsel and receive instruction, So that you are wise in your latter end.
Listen to counsel and take up discipline, so that you may be wise in your latter days.
21 The purposes in a man’s heart [are] many, And the counsel of YHWH—it stands.
There are many intentions in the heart of a man. But the will of the Lord shall stand firm.
22 The desirableness of a man [is] his kindness, And the poor [is] better than a liar.
An indigent man is merciful. And a pauper is better than a deceitful man.
23 The fear of YHWH [is] to life, And he remains satisfied—he is not charged with evil.
The fear of the Lord is unto life. And he shall linger in plentitude, without being visited by disaster.
24 The slothful has hidden his hand in a dish, Even to his mouth he does not bring it back.
The lazy conceals his hand under his arm, and he will not so much as bring it to his mouth.
25 Strike a scorner, and the simple acts prudently, And give reproof to the intelligent, He understands knowledge.
When the pestilent are scourged, the foolish will become wiser. But if you chastise the wise, he will understand discipline.
26 Whoever is spoiling a father causes a mother to flee, A son causing shame, and bringing confusion.
Whoever afflicts his father and flees from his mother is disreputable and unhappy.
27 Cease, my son, to hear instruction—To err from sayings of knowledge.
Son, do not cease listening to doctrine, and do not be ignorant of the sermons of knowledge.
28 A worthless witness scorns judgment, And the mouth of the wicked swallows iniquity.
An unjust witness ridicules judgment. And the mouth of the impious devours iniquity.
29 Judgments have been prepared for scorners, And stripes for the back of fools!
Judgments are prepared for those who ridicule. And striking hammers are prepared for the bodies of the foolish.
